970 ORD. XIV. Contofte. ASCLEPIAS VINCETOXICUM, 
hydropicus, a composition in whith the Vincetoxicum is an ingre- 
dient. 
This root has also been recommended in malignant fevers, and 
even in the plague,* especially by some German authors; hence it 
has been called. Contrayerva’ Germanorum. Other disorders, in 
which it is said to be useful, are small-pox,‘ scrophula, and uterine 
obstructions. 
The dose, in powder, is from a scruple to a dram, or an infusion 
of three or four drams. 
Vinca minor, ( Vinca peruinca, or Periwinkle) Nerium antidysen- 
tericum, (Profluvii cortex, or Tili-cherry bark) if we except the 
cinchona already noticed, are the only two remaining medicinal 
plants belonging to the order Contorte. The former isa native of 
Britain, and has been used in the character of an astringent, espe- 
cially in peices 4 disorders. The latter is a native of the East 
Indies. 
Its bark, which possesses an aromatic bitter astringent, and, ac- 
cording to Dr. Brocklesby, an anodyne quality, has been employed 
in dysenteries, diarrhceas, and in intermittent — occuring in 
warm climates:‘f 
* Stahl made also other compositions of the Vincetoxicum, which were received 
in the Pharm. Wurt. & Brand. 
* Palmar. de feb. pest. c. 18. Antzer. Antid. pest. L. 2. 
‘ Linn. Fl. Suec. p. 77. 
+ See cies sen. Med. Essays. 3. p. 32.  Brocklesby. Observ. on camp. 
diseases. p. 194, Lind. on diseases in hot climates. p. 308, 
