( eu }} 
are well known as to the extent and peculiarity of their qualities, and 
a very fmall number is adopted either by the apothecaries, or regular 
phyficians. On this view the following expedients merit attention—to 
fubftitute indigenous medicines of equal value for thofe imported, which 
by quantity or price caufe a great national expenfe; and that are liable 
to adulteration, or depreciation by age: to point out the beft native 
plants in local diftrits, with fixed names, clear defcriptions, and accu- 
rate medical inftruCtions, for fafe convenient and general ufe: to appre- 
ciate the merit of thofe drugs, which are efteemed fpecifics in the worft 
epidemic or particular diftempers. Colle@ting all the botano-medical in- 
formation at prefent attainable, we may judge what plants are moft in- 
terefting, in what degree they are known, and how this knowledge may 
probably be moft improved*—the Indians have feveral remedies againft 
the difcafes and accidents arifing from the climate, and their favage 
mode of life; ‘as fevers, rheumatifm, wounds, bruifes, fcalding, chill- 
blains, bite of venomous ferpents; befides emetics, cathartics, fudoriftcs, 
and dietics. ‘Thefe have the fanétion of time and fimplicity. It is alfo 
generally believed, that they poffefs very important fecrets, of which 
only a few extraordinary fpecimens are related with plaufible au- 
thenticity-——In domeftic pra€tice, particularly of the country peo- 
ple, we obferve medical plants of general falubrity, ufed as de- 
tergents, tonics, fudorifics, and laxatives; and others of particu- 
lar virtue in rheumatifm, fevers, peCtoral ailments, vifceral obftruCtions, 
ulcers, external hurts, poifons, female complaints, and difeafes 
of children. Among the great number of thefe popular drugs, par- 
ticular attention is due to thofe that are recommended by their falu- 
tary effects, attefted by the patients or other perfons of credit; and 
more fo, when the teflimonial is attended with a precife ftatement of 
facts. In cafe of defective information, we may expect valuable qua- 
lities in thofe which are in vogue over large diftricts; becaufe this general 
efleem cannot be owing to imitation in a country, where intercourfe be- 
tween diftant places has tillof late been very limited, and where botani- 
cal curiofity is yet very rare.—The medical plants we have in common 
with other countries, poflefs the fame virtue, under variations from cli- 
mate and local circumftances; the too common opinion of their inferi- 
ority 
* See materia medica Americana potiffimum regni vegetabilis, by David Schoeph, printed in 
Germavy 1727. The author has great merit in collecting the accounts of preceding writers, 
whole authority he cites, with addition of popular information received, and perfonal re- 
mnarks made during his rclidence and travels in this country. 
