FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB. 207 



Eupatorium odoratum L. 



Eupatoire odorante (fr.) Eupatorio oleroso (sp.) 

 K. repandum W. 



Eupatoire a feuillesd'arroche(fr.) Eupatorio dehoj as escotadas (sp.) 



These plants are bitter, aromatic, stimulant, stomatic tonics, 

 prepared and used as wormwood (q.v.) 



Ayapana (sp.) E. ayapana Vent. Zerbe a femme. (f.) 



This plant has a repute similar to that of guaco as a remedy 

 against snake poison. An infusion of two handfuls of the plant 

 to one pint boiling water is given, sweetened to taste, as a strong 

 sudorific. The dried leaves have a bitter and astringent taste 

 and an odor recalling that of Tonka beans, its properties appear 

 similar to those of Tea and it is often used in place of the latter. 

 In Porto Rico the pounded fresh plant or its juice are applied to 

 cure the wounds of fighting cocks, and promote rapid cicatriza- 

 tion: it doubtless might be used on men with good results. 



Christmas Bush. E. conyzoides Vent. Herbe chatte (Trd. f.) 



A tisane of this plant is given to women after child-birth, 

 and to bring on menstruation. 



Guaco (sp.) Mikanea guaco Desc. 



Herbe aux serpents (fr.) Guaco rojo 6 Bejuco de aradores 



(sp. Prco.) 



Guaco, white. M. orinocensis Kth. Guaco Rebalsero (Gua.) 



Guaco is in much repute as an antidote and preservative 

 against snake •poisons. Its most certain effects are said to be 

 obtained by inoculating the body in six different places with the 

 dried and powdered plant, and taking for nine days three table- 

 spoonfuls of the expressed juice per day. Besides which it 

 is thought prudent to drink the like doses for five to six days 

 each month. This fortifies the body; but in case of a snake 

 bite besides giving the juice internally the fresh pounded plant 

 is applied as a poultice to the wound after cupping, tfcc. 



On the Spanish Main, in addition to the above use, the 

 pounded fresh plant is used as a vulnerary to apply in falls and 

 contusions, and to apply to hard ami scrofulous ulcers. According 

 to Dr. Almodova of Porto Rico the very strong decoction of 

 these plants is a powerful emenagogue, which he gives in doses 

 of about three tumblerfuls per day sweetened to taste, during 

 the three to four days preceding the period. The very strong 

 decoction has been applied with great benefit as a dressing to 

 venereal and slow ulcers and fistulas causing a prompt dimi- 

 nution of pain and suppuration, and rapid cicatrization (De. G.) 



