82 On the Salivating Effects, &c. 



brated Dr. Withering seems to have remarked the 

 salivating effect of digitalis, many years ago. " I 

 am doubtful (he says) whether it does not sometimes 

 excite a copious flow of saliva." An Account of the 

 Foxglove, and some of its medical uses, &c. p. 184. 

 Birmingham : 1785. Some of the cases which the 

 doctor relates, in this work, show, I think, in a very 

 satisfactory manner, that this vegetable, so remark- 

 able for its effects in lowering the pulse, &c, has 

 sometimes really produced a great increase of the 

 salivary fluid. The Squill (Scilla maritima), a vege- 

 table in many respects allied to digitalis, has also been 

 known to salivate ; and it is worthy of observation, 

 that several other diuretic medicines produce the 

 same effect. The Seneka Snake-root (Poly gala Se- 

 nega) may be mentioned in this place. (See Collec- 

 tions for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the 

 United-States. Part First, page 25. Part Second, 

 page 37.) It is much to be regretted, that the gene- 

 rality of physicians devote so little attention to the 

 various (though less constant) effects of vegetables 

 upon the human and other animal systems. Without 

 much of philosophic attention, in this way, ages must 

 elapse before a satisfactory arrangement of the articles 

 of the Materia Medica can be accomplished: 

 for, as yet, every arrangement is defective, and liable 

 fo many objections. 



The Editor. 



