Dissertation on Secale Cornutum^ or Ergot, 



by convulsions and spasmodic affections. But these 

 are now generally considered as originating from other 

 causes. 



In France, many experiments have been made on ani- 

 mals, to prove its malignant effects, and numerous 

 communications have been published, shewing its nox- 

 ious properties : but I believe it has never been con- 

 sidered by any of these writers, as capable of subserv- 

 ing any medicinal or other useful purpose. 



Some few empirics, however, it is said, have long 

 known that the ergot would expedite lingering labour. 

 But these ignorant pretenders bestow upon their nos- 

 trums so extravagant encomiums, and their impositions 

 upon the credulity of the pubhc are so numerous and 

 frequent, that no credit whatever can be attached to 

 their recommendations. Most of their mighty secrets, 

 when disclosed, prove altogether inert ; or at best very 

 incompetent to effect the purposes for which they are 

 intended. Their powder, to promote delivery, was 

 consequently derided, and was thought by the faculty 

 to be unworthy of serious attention or regard. 



The first information the public received, from a 

 source entitled to credence, that this production was, 

 in reality, endued with such an unexampled property, 

 was through the medium of the New York Medical 

 Repository,^- by a letter from Dr. J. Stearns to Dr. 

 Akerly. In this communication. Dr. Stearns desig- 

 nates it by the appellation of pidvis parturiens. 



Vol. II. p. 30M, 



b ^- 



