1913-14.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 231 



also cured several cases of consumption 'where the doctors 

 had given them over." 



Labiatae. — Spearmint, Mentha viridis, given as a tea, 

 stops vomiting. 



Peppermint, Mentha piperita, promotes perspiration and 

 relieves pain in the stomach and bowels. 



Peneroyal, Hedeoma pulegioides, " may be freely used in 

 all cases of sickness ; it is good for the stomach ... it will 

 produce perspiration and remove obstructions." 



Summer Savory, Satureia hortensis, is good for colds; 

 and the oil will cure toothache. 



Hoarhoiind, Marrubium vulgare, is good for a cough. 

 " An infusion made of the leaves, sweetened with honey, is 

 good for the asthma and all complaints of the lungs," while 

 " hoarhound candy is very useful . . . for old people and 

 those that are short-winded." 



Solanaceae. — Capsicum, Capsicum annuum, ground to 

 a powder, forms Xo. 2 of the system, and is given to 

 "strengthen the digesture," but externally it is "good to 

 put on old sores." 



Bitter-sweet, Solanum Dulcamara, Thomson uses only 

 externally, and finds it, made into an ointment, " an 

 excellent thing for a bruise, sprain, callous, swelling or 

 for corns." 



Asclepiadaceae. — Bitter-root or Wander > 'mg Milkweed, 

 of two kinds, Asclepias phytolaccoides on moist ground and 

 A. verticillata on dry. The roots only are used, dried and 

 pounded in a mortar ; while they are very bitter, they are an 

 excellent medicine to remove costiveness and correct the bile. 



Aristolochiaceae. — Snakeroot, Asarum Canadense. To 

 be made use of " in tea for measles and other eruptions to 

 keep the disorder out," also " for all nervous complaints." 

 That Asarum is the " snakeroot " meant, and not Eupatorium 

 ageratoides, which is also popularly called snakeroot, is 

 clear from Thomson's description of it as of a hot nature, 

 thus identifying it with Canada Wild Ginger, or Asarum. 



Polygonaceae. — Yellow Dock, Rumex Crispus. The root 

 made into an ointment with cream, rubbed in at bedtime, 

 will cure the itch. 



Urticaceae. — Slippery Elm, Ulmus fulva, The inner 

 bark is dried and ground, a teaspoonful of the powder is 



