NAT. ORDEH. — PAPILIONACE,E. 65 



effect, they are now admitted into general practice, both in Europe 

 and the United States. 



Sir Mans Sloane, wlio lias noticed the diuretic qualities of the 

 roots and pods of this plant, observes, that an infusion of the latter 

 " is a certain remedy for the ch-opsy ;" but he takes no notice of tlie 

 vermifuge efl'ects of Cowhage : Brown has, however, informed us, 

 that ' in tiie windward islands some of the inhabitants make a sirup 

 of the pods, whicii is said to be very effectual against worms." But 

 as little attention would be paid to an observation so vague and un- 

 satisfactory as this, we are to consider Mr. Bancroft as the first per- 

 son whose writings fended to establish the anthelmintic character 

 of Cowhage in Europe, from whence its use was introduced into this 

 countrv. He tells us " the part used is the setaceous hairy substance 

 growing on the outside of the pod, which is scraped off, and mixed 

 with common sirup or molasses, of which a teaspoonful to a child 

 of two or three years old, and double the quantity to an adult, is 

 given in the morning before breakfast, and repeated the two succeed- 

 ing mornings; after which a dose of rluibarb is usually subjoined. 

 This is the empyrical practice of the planters, who usually once in 

 three or four months exhibit the Cow-itch in this manner to their 

 slaves in general, but especially to all their children, without distinc- 

 tion ; and in this manner I have seen it given to hundreds, from one 

 year old and upwards, with the most happy success. The patients, 

 after the second dose, usually discharged an incredible luunber of 

 worms, even to the an>ount of more than twenty at a time." He 

 concludes by saying, " It is to be observed, that this remedy is par- 

 ticularly designed to expel the long round worm ; whether it is 

 eqiNiliv deleterious to the ascarides, or whether it has ever been 

 used against'them, I am uncertain." Other accounts, sliowing the 

 etlicacy of this medicine, have since appeared in various medical 

 publications, both in this country and Europe, all .speaking higldy in 

 its favor ; and more particularly a treatise professedly written on 

 the subject, by Mr. Chamberlain, to which a number of cases are 



