1771.] T() HUMPHRY MARSHALL. 503 



pertinent accounts of the medicinal effects of some of your native 

 simples, for which I am much obliged to thee. It is quite proper 



to record all useful observations relative to your indigenous simples. 

 It requires a long time, and much experience, to know the use of 

 any one medicine. We are apt sometimes to ascribe effects to 

 wrong causes: and if a disorder wears off, after the use of any 

 medicine, it is usual to place the recovery to the account of the 

 medicine. 



The Sassafras Bark, I think, is a good medicine in various 

 complaints; and especially in all such as seem to arise from a thin, 

 sharp, scorbutic humour, especially in cold constitutions, or aged 

 people. From its sensible qualities it seems likely to expel wind, 

 correct sharpness of the blood, and, if given properly, to increase 

 urine and sweat. Attend to its effects, and give a strong infusion 

 of it, in such of the complaints as may seem to proceed from these 

 causes. 



We are so well pleased with our Ipecacuanha, it operates so 

 certainly, so gently, that we shall scarcely be soon prevailed on to 

 admit of any substitute. I wish, however, your Ipecac, may 

 be attended to. Gather it when the leaves are decaying : wash it 

 clean, dry it in the shade, and powder it fine. In case of sickness, 

 where a vomit is required, give ten grains ; wait half an hour, give 

 a second dose, and try by such means how small a quantity will <.. 



answer the purpose. 



I should be exceedingly glad to hear that you had any indige- 

 nous medicine, or simple, that would operate pretty freely, and 

 certainly, by urine. We want such a remedy much. We can 

 promote all the natural discharges, with some degree of certainty, 

 but this. We can vomit, purge, sweat, to what degree we please; 

 but we have no certain diuretic. This is much wanted in the cure 

 of dropsies, and other complaints. Listen carefully after such a 

 remedy. And now to thy second letter. 



Captain Osborne has been arrived some time; but has been 

 hindered from delivering his goods, by a severe frost, and the want 

 of hands, from pressing. The plants and seeds are, however, at 

 length delivered, and sent down to my garden, but I have not yet 

 seen in what condition. We have still a hard frost, and much 

 snow, so that I must keep them as they are, till the weather breaks.. 

 In the Catalogue, I see a great number of curious things ; and we 

 shall take all the care we can to raise them, and revive the plants.. 



