IGO NAT. OUUER. STELLATiE, 



Two species of this plant are now well known to botanists, the 

 Spigelia anthenmintica, and the Spigelia viarilaiidica ; they have 

 both been used as anthelmintics; the effects of the former have been 

 extensively noticed by Dr. Browne in his History of Jamaica, pub- 

 lished in the year 1751, and by several other distinguished foreign 

 writers. But the accounts of the vermifuge virtues of Spigelia, 

 given by Drs. Linning and Garden, from Charleston, South Caroli- 

 na, evidently refer to the latter species, which is here described. 

 Dr. Garden in his first letter to Dr. Hope, in 1763, says: ' About forty 

 years ago, the anthelmintic virtues of the root of this plant were 

 discovered by the Indians ; since which time it has been used here 

 by physicians, practitioners, and planters; yet its true dose is not 

 generally understood. I have given it in hundreds of cases, and 

 have been very attentive to its effects ; but never found it to be of 

 much service, except when it proved gently purgative." 



Medical Froperties and Uses. Pink-root is ranked among the 

 most powerful anthelmintics. In small doses it produces but little, 

 if any sensible effect on the system ; more largely given, it acts as a 

 cathartic, but very unequal and uncertain in its operation ; in over 

 doses it excites the circulation, and determines to the brain, giving 

 rise to vertigo, dilated pupils, dimness, spasms, and sometimes gen- 

 eral convulsions. Spasmodic movements of the facial muscles, and 

 eyelids, are frequently observed by those who witness its narcotic 

 action. At presnt this root stands at the head of the anthelmintics. 

 It may be given to an adult in doses of one to two drachms; of the 

 powdered root, to a child, from ten to twenty grains, to be repeated 

 morning and evening for several days, and then followed by a brisk 

 cathartic. The infusion is the most common form of administra- 

 tion. A preparation is generally kept in the shops called worm 

 tea, which consists of pink-root, senna, manna, and savine, mixed in 

 various forms to suit the views of different individuals. 



