IPECACUANHA 169 



The beginning of the history of ipecacuanha root and 

 the first study of its virtues is clouded in mystery and 

 fable. It is stated that the South American Indians 

 were acquainted with the medicinal properties of the 

 plant, having gained their experience from observing 

 the habits of animals (409). This fable has a parallel 

 in the quaint description given by Clusius (153) con- 

 cerning the discovery of the healing virtues of nux 

 vomica bark in cases of snake bite. A vague, yet prob- 

 ably the first source of information on the subject of 

 ipecacuanha root, is found in a work named "The Pil- 

 grimes," by Samuel Purchas (527), published in London 

 in 1625, which in five volumes gives an account of many 

 travels, the natural history and products of foreign 

 countries. In Vol. IV, page 1311, where Brazilian 

 plants and their uses are considered, the following 

 occurs: 



"Ipecaya or pigaya is profitable for the bloudie fluxe. 

 The stalke is a quarter long and the roots of another or 

 more, it hath only four or five leaves, it smelleth much 

 wheresoever it is, but the smell is strong and terrible." 



The subsequent description of its medicinal virtues 

 bears further evidence that the plant mentioned is at 

 least closely related to official ipecacuanha. According 

 to a printed note at the head of that chapter, the author 

 is believed to be a Jesuit by the name of Manoel Tris- 

 taon (651a), who probably wrote the treatise in the 

 year 1601. 



The first definite information we have of ipecacuanha 

 dates from the publication by Piso and Marcgraf (511), 

 of a work called "Historia Naturalis Brasilia," Am- 

 sterdam, 1648, chapter Ixiv being entitled, "De Ipe- 

 cacuanha ejusque Facultatibus." Two species of ipecac 



