Add ORD. XXV. Lomentacee POLYGALA SENEGA. 
have directed this medicine, have generally found a little Madeira 
most effectual for removing its taste from the mouth, and making 
it sit easy on the stomach. A tincture of the root, in rectified 
spirit, is of more fiery pungency, extremely durable in the mouth 
and throat, and apt to promote vomiting or reaching.‘ Rattle- 
snake-root was first introduced to the attention of physicians about 
sixty years ago, by Dr. John Tennent,* whose intercourse with 
the Indian nations led him to discover that they possessed a specific 
medicine against the poison of the rattlesnake, || which,- in conse- 
quence of a suitable reward, was revealed to him, and found to be 
the root of this plant, which the Indians employed both internally 
and externally. Cases afterwards occured, by which he was fully 
convinced of the efficacy of this medicine from his own experience. 
And as the Docter observed, that pleuretic or peripneumonic 
symptoms were generally produced by the action of this poison, 
he hence inferred, that the Rattlesnake-root might also be an 
useful remedy in diseases of this kind. It was accordingly tried 
in pleurisies not only by Tennent himself,‘ but by several of the 
French academicians and others,* who all unite in testimony of 
its good effects. However, in many of these cases, recourse was 
had to the lancet, and even the warmest advocates for the Seneka 
say, that in the true pleurisy repeated bleeding is at the same time. 
© Lewis, M, M. & 518. ‘4 See his Physical Disquisitions, P.2, Lond. 1735. 
| A fortiori, it is presumed to cure the poisonous effects of other serpents, as 
being less virulent. Testatur exemplum ancille Suecice, que alvide, iende causa 
ruri pone fruticem secedens a serpente quodam (Colubro Bero sine lubio) et in 
mulieribus ipsis vulnerabatur sub gravissimorum sypmtomatum satellitio, sed 
duabus unice dosibus ab ill, a Linné subministratis convaluit. Amen, Acad, vol, 
vi. p. 214, 
* Chewed and applied to the wound, or in the form of a cataplasm. 
+ As difficulty of breathing, cough, hemoptysis, a strong quick pulse, &c. 
* See his Ess. on the Pleurisy. Philad. 1736, Also his Epistle to Dr. Mead. 
* Lemery, De Jessieu, Du Hamel, Bouuyart, for which see Mem. de t’ Acad. de 
Pais, 1739, & 1744, 
