BIRTHWORT, 69 



makes a considerable part of the Portland powder, and has 

 often been employed in the same manner as that powder, to be 

 taken every day for a length of time. But though it may pre- 

 vent the recurrence of the gouty paroxysms, the long-continued 

 use of such medicines is extremely hvirtful, and commonly 

 brings on a general state of disease more fatal than the original 

 distemper."* Its use as a vulnerary, in common with many 

 others, is now obsolete. 



There are several other species of Aristolochia possessing 

 medicinal properties, and the A. Serpentaria, Virginian snake- 

 root, or Birthwort, is a valuable stimulating diaphoretic and 

 tonic. 



* Materia Medica, Vol. II. p. 296. 



