NAT. ORDER. LABIAT.(E. lg| 



mals. His son is stated to have relieved or cured forty persons iu 

 three years, in the States of New- York and New-Jersey, by the 

 use of this medicine. 



Medical Properties a7id Uses. Scullcap is ranked by those who 

 are best acquainted with its properties, as one of the most effectual 

 nervines in use ; it can be given to all classes, and in most any stage 

 of disease, with safety. It is highly useful in St. Vitus' dance, con- 

 vulsions, locked-jaw, tremors, ague and fever, tic-doloreux, and all 

 nervous affections. It may be given with advantage to children, 

 where their health is impaired from the effects of teething. 

 Besides its other good effects, it has a tendency to keep the pores 

 open and skin moist. The U. S. Dispensatory describes this species 

 of Scullcap as possessing but little, if any, taste or smell, or appear- 

 ance of any remarkable medical virtues. It is even destitute of the 

 aromatic properties which are found in a large portion of the labiate 

 plants. When taken internally, it produces no obvious effects upon 

 the system. Notwithstanding its apparent inertness, it obtained at 

 one period extraordinary credit throughout the Union, as a preven- 

 tative of hydrophobia, and was even highly recommended for the 

 disease itself. A strong tea made of the leaves and branches of 

 this plant was given in the dose of a wine glass full, and rej^eateil 

 several times a day ; this was continued for three or four months 

 after the bite was received, while the herb itself was applied to the 

 wound. Strong testimony has been adduced in favor of its prophy- 

 lactic powers; but has shared the fate of many other specifics 

 against hydrophobia, which have been brought into temporary 

 fjopularity only to be speedily abandoned. It is now nearly dis- 

 carded from medical practice, and its merits have not been much 

 investigated since. We think this plant well worthy the attention 

 of physicians, especially with a view to ascertain its real merits. 

 As a nervine it ranks high, and enters into various compounds pre- 

 pared by some of our modern practitioners for the treatment of 

 nervous diseases. 



