NAT. ORDER. — composit.t:. 97 



used, possesses diaphoretic, diuretic, sudorific, and tonic properties. 

 It has been successfully used in a great variety of chronic diseases, 

 such as rheumatism, scurvy, gout, lues venerea, and nephritic affec- 

 tions. A sirup made of the roots has been successfully employed in 

 dropsical cases vphere other powerful medicines had been ineffectually 

 used ; and as it neither excites nausea, nor increases irritation, it may 

 occasionally deserve a trial where more active remedies are improper. 

 It is also used as a diuretic, and is said powerfully to promote per- 

 spiration. The leaves applied to the feet as drafts, are highly useful 

 in many complaints, especially fevers ; they may also be taken green, 

 rolled, and saturated with vinegar, and applied as warm as can be 

 borne on any part of the body suffering with pain. The leaves may 

 be dried and kept for use without losing any of their medicinal 

 properties. The root is generally used in decoction, which may be 

 made by boiling two ounces of the fresh root in three pints of water 

 to two, which, when intended as a diuretic, should be taken in the 

 course of two days, or if possible in twenty-four hours. The follow- 

 ing sirup, made of the root, I have found highly beneficial in the cure 

 of scrofulous and other hereditary diseases : 



Take of the dried root eight oimces, boil in three quarts of water 

 down to two ; strain off) and add while warm, one pound of loaf 

 sugar and one pint of good gin. Dose — from one table-spoonful to 

 a wine-glassful several times a day. 



The root is in considerable demand, and is sold in quantities at 

 the drug stores in the city. The best way of curing, is by slicing 

 across the root from one fourth to half an inch thick, and then dry- 

 ing it. 



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