of the Hypericum Perforatum. 59 



nistered. He says, also, that it ought not to be giv- 

 en in the dysenteiy, until some evacuating medicine 

 has been previously used ; but that this precaution 

 is not necessary, in cases of mere diarrhoea. 



W. B. 



REMARKS. 



The Hypericum perforatum, or Common St. 

 John's- Wort, is abundantly distributed through the 

 United-States : but it is well ascertained, that it is 

 not a native of the country. The precise period of 

 its introduction from Europe is not known. 



The properties of this plant have been noticed by 

 many writers. Linnaeus, in his Materia Medica, 

 speaks of it, in terms of extravagant praise. He says, 

 it is a vulnerary, resolvent, and anthelmintic vege- 

 table, and that it is useful in haemoptysis, haema- 

 turia, and hypochondriasis*. Long before the 

 time of the Swedish naturalist, it was highly com- 

 mended, in melancholy and in madness, by Angelus 

 Sala. Of its use in diarrhoea, and in similar affec- 

 tions, I have not been able to find any traces, in the 

 writings of physicians. 



The reader who is desirous of obtaining more 

 ample information concerning the real or supposed 



* Materia Medica, Sec. p. 128. 



