BOOK III. CHAP. VIII. 'j^<) 



69. Indian Arrow-root. — Maranta. 



The origin of the name is faid to be this. An Indian, being 

 taken prifoner after he had wounded an European with a poifoned 

 arrow, was put to the torture, till he promifed to cure him ; and 

 performed it efFe£tuaIly with the root of this plant, applying it 

 bruifed in form of a poultice, and giving the juice inwardly. 



It has a ftalk and leaf exadtly like the plant called Indi;in fhot ; 

 but the flower differs ; that of the latter being a beautiful fcarlet ; 

 and that of the former, milk-white. 



The leaves fall in December, and the root is fit to dig in January. 



A gentlewoman of the ifland, having been bitten on one of her 

 fingers by a black fpider, the part became inflamed, and her whole 

 arm was fwelled quite to the fhoulder ; the pain of which threw her 

 into a fever, and fymptoms of fits, in lefs than an hour. But 

 fome of this root being procured, and applied bruifed, fhe was 

 greatly relieved in half an hour's time, la two hours, a frefli 

 poultice of the lame fort was put on ; which ftill brought more cafe, 

 abated the fever, and in twenty-four hours (he was perfc*5lly well 

 again. I have mentioned, in another place, the powerful efi'cifls 

 of this root, in counter-working the poifon of the dog's-bane, or 



It has been admlniflcred alfo with very good efiecl in malignant 

 fevers, when all other remedies failed. It is given in dccokftion, 

 but mofl approved in powder, in a dofe of one to two drachms. It 

 has no ill tafl:e or fmell, operates chiefly by fweat and urine, and 

 yet is a very fmgular cordial ; fo that, if it was to be candied like 

 the eringo-root, it would form an agreeable preferve, and poiTefs the 

 like prolific virtues. The root is mealy ; but may be kept perfedly 

 found for many years, as no infe<£l; will meddle with it. Waftied, 

 dried, and reduced to an impalpable powder, it makes an excellent 

 flarch ; and has been ufed as ^fuccedaneum for the common fort. 



70. Stiptic, or Velvet-bur. — Verbena. 5 Browne, p. i j6. 



This plant is applied to bleeding wounds, and thought fo pow- 

 .erful a flyptic, as to flop an haemorrhage even when fome of the 

 principal arteries are cut. It is likewife an excellent application in 

 all manner of fores in relaxed habits, 



71. Velvet- 



