VOL. XLVIII.^ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 355 



When Steller, whom Ginelin always mentions with esteem, was at Tobolski in 

 the year 1738, he was intbrmed, that 2 years before they were afflicted there with 

 pestilential carbuncles, which were so contagious as to seize those who approached 

 the person affected. The disease first began in horses and oxen, and afterwards 

 seized the human species. A red spot first was perceptible under the armpits, 

 or in the thigh, attended with great itching; and in a few hours grew to a very 

 large tumour, joined with a burning heat of the part affected; these symptoms 

 were attended with a very acute fever, entire loss of strength, violent pains in 

 the head, and redness of the eyes. An old country practitioner, famous in these 

 parts for his judgment, cured persons labouring under this severe disease in a 

 short time. He used first to the carbuncle the powder of an herb,* of which 

 is given a complete history and figure in this work, made into a thin poultice 

 with dregs -^ of beer; this poultice, gently warmed, was applied to the part af- 

 fected, and the patient confined to his bed, who was at liberty to take whatever 

 nourishment he liked, except milk, brandy, or the flesh of pikes. During this 

 time the patient drank plentifully of a decoction of this herb, collected during 

 the time of its flowering; though the powder, applied as above, was prepaied 

 from the leaves, before the flower-stalk was produced. The carbuncle, fVom this 

 treatment, generally broke in 24 hours, and the symptoms greatly abated. The 

 wound was sprinkled with sal ammoniac, and healed in a short time. This 

 disease affected the cattle in different manners; some suddenly set a running with 

 all their swiftness possible, and continued to do so till they dropped down dead; in 

 others, carbuncles arose, which were dressed by the practitioner before-mentioned 

 with the poultice above-described, mixing a large quantity of the herb with their 

 food: and by this method great numbers were cured. A plant so well recom- 

 mended, and which will grow in our own country, deserves to be better krtown 

 to us. 



Throughout the whole work the author has shown a complete knowledge of 

 the botanic science, among the first professors of which he is deservedly placed. 



XXIl. On a Mistake of Professor Gmelin, concerning the Sphondylium f-^u/gare 

 Hirsutum of Caspar Bauhin. By Mr. Philip Miller, F. R. H. p. 153. 



Mr. Miller here remarks that in the abstract of the Flora Sibirica, which Mr. 

 Watson laid before the Royal Society, it was mentioned, that the inhabitants of 



• Centaorea squamis ovatis, foliis pinnatis, foliolis decurrentibus, linearibus, scrratis et iiitegrii.' 

 Flor. Sibir. torn. ii. p. 89, tab. 41. y^ 



Cyanus floridus odoiatus Turcicus, seu orieiitalis major, flore luteo. Hort. Lugd. B.if. p. 211.--J 

 Orig. 



f Faece cerevisiae; though I am inclined to think yeast is intended, which is usually written floi' 

 cerevisiae, or fermentum cerevisiae. — Orig. 1 



