MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 21-3 



ral a fatal symptom ; and no worm medicine should then be 

 given, unless the bark is given at the same time. 



52. Abrus precatorius. — The Bead Vine. 



This beautiful plant runs on bushes or fences. It has nu- 

 merous small and pinnated leaves. The flowers are papilio- 

 naceous, and pale red ; the pods short and rounded, contain- 

 ing three or four red shining small peas, with a black speck 

 at the end. 



The leaves and stalks are sweet, and often made into teas 

 or decoctions, to which is added a little lime juice. This drink 

 is useful in coughs, colds, and pleurisies, &c. 



The seeds are exceedingly hard, and are emetic ; they are 

 never eaten or prescribed. They are common in shell shops 

 and shell works, and are worn as beads bv the Negroes in Ja- 

 maica. 



(This beautiful plant, otherwise called wild liquorice, grows 

 in pimento walks, and runs on trees and bushes. It will al- 

 so grow in gardens, and might with proper supporters be 

 formed into beautiful arbours. The leaves are of a lively 

 green colour, and have a very sweet taste like liquorice. 

 They are made into tea for coughs, pleurisies, and peripneu- 

 monies. 



This year we had an epidemic peripneumony, which was 

 very fatal, especially among the Negroes. It raged for three 

 months. Early and repeated bleedings, antimonials, diluted 

 drinks of liquorice, pear leaf and nitre, with blisters to the 

 sides, were attended with great success ; but if these had 

 been neglected, or sparingly administered, calomel, with gentle 

 opiates, acted like a charm in resolving the disease ; and a sper- 

 maceti mixture with salt of hartshorn eompleted the cure. 

 By this mode of treatment, I lost no patients, although I had 

 many under my care. The epidemic was prevalent in March, 

 April, and May.) 



