88 MtscellaneQus Medical I^acts. 



The Melia is very common about this. I have pre- 

 scribed it as an anthelmintic. The people are much 

 prejudiced against it. They tell me that they have 

 known too many children killed by it. 



In two cases of old scrophulous ulcers, where the con- 

 stitution was much impaired, I recommended a strong 

 decoction of the bark of the Magnolia glauca, with great 

 success. In chronic dysentery, the strong decoction of 

 the green leaves is highly recommended by the com- 

 mon people, though I have never made the experiment. 



The Nottoway tribe of Indians have a town not far 

 from this. I am told, from respectable authority, that 

 some of them have cured syphilis, with vegetable reme- 

 dies. Only one old woman is now alive, who is said to 

 possess the knowledge of die vegetable. As yet, I have 

 not been able to obtain the secret, or find out the plant, 

 though I have been anxious on the subject. Whenever 

 I do, I shall inform you of it. I strongly suspect, that 

 Sarsaparilla* is the principal ingredient, as it grows 

 plentifully in the adjacent woods. 



Jerusalem, Firginia, October 12, 

 1804. 



* Aralia nudicaulis of Linnxus. This is a common plant in 

 many parts of the United-States, and is best known by the name of 

 Sarsaparilla. See First Supplement, &c., pages 17, 18. Editor. 



