400 The Natural Historg 



might be prejudicial to their Health, and occasion Fevers, 

 Agues, and many other Distempers, which they are not so 

 subject to as the Europeans; which I am satisfied is owing 

 in a great measure to their constant use of this Plant, which 

 takes away both Hunger and Thirst for four and twenty 

 Hours. 



There is no Plant in these Parts in greater Veneration 

 and Esteem amongst them than this is, and they frequently 

 carry it to the Westwa7^d Indians, who give Deer Skins, and 

 other J^ecessaries they want for it. They take the Leaves 

 and small Twigs, bruise them in Wooden Mortars, 'till they 

 become of a blackish Colour, and wholly defaced : Then they 

 take and put them into Earthen Pots, over the Fire, till they 

 Smoak, stirring them all the time 'till they are cured : Oth- 

 ers take them thus bruised, and put them into Earthen Bowls, 

 under which they put live Coals and cover them with You- 

 pan Leaves, 'till they have done Smoaking, often turning 

 them over, then they spread them on Mats and dry them in 

 the Sun or Shade for use. 



They commonly in most of their Disorders make use of 

 the Juices of Plants, not out of any Foppery or Fashion, as 

 many Europeans and other Nations are often fond of, but 

 purely to relieve and free E^ature of the Oppression and 

 Burthen that she labours under. 



They neither use Unguents or Fats in any external Appli- 

 cation for AVounds or Ulcers, but they sometimes use the Fat 

 of Animals to render their Limbs more pliable, and when 

 they are weary to relieve the Joints. 



The Bark of the Root of the Sassafrass Tree is very nrich 

 used by them, which they generally Torrefy in the Embers, 

 and strip off the Bark from the Root, beating it into a Paste, 

 or a Consistance fit to spread, so apply it to the grieved 



parts, 



