24 Memoranda of the Natural History^ fc??. 



where. One cause of the frequency of this disease was, 

 by many, said to be fear, as the dropsy was observed to 

 be more common among the Whites and Mulattoes 

 after the massacres. Men and women were, I think, 

 equally affected. 



I saw two patients, labouring under this disease, 

 nearly cured by large doses of gamboge, combined with 

 calomel, &:c. In the management of the dropsy, the 

 blacks use the same remedies as for the suppression of 

 the menses. These remedies I am to mention presendy. 



Obstructions of the catamenia are a very common 

 complaint. It is frequently accompanied, I was told, 

 with painful maxillary swellings : but, I believe, they 

 never suppurate. That there was some connection be- 

 tween the uterine system and those swellings, I think 

 probable, from observing them entirely confined to the 



females. 1 shall not offer a conjecture as to the cause 



of this complaint ; but it must not be attributed to de- 

 cayed teeth. 



For the purpose of removing obstructions, procuring 

 abortion, &c., the indigene women employ a variety of 

 articles ; some of which, as they find them so frequently 

 to succeed, are, no doubt, active medicines. Such ap- 

 pears to me the Paupionne, afterwaids to be mentioned. 

 It is a very favourite article, and in general use. The 

 roots, which are intensely bitter, are infused in taffea, or 

 country rum, and a table-spoonful of the saturated tinc- 

 ture is given twice a- day. 



