EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. 71 



Cutaneous Diseases, 



In many of the diseases arranojed under the 

 class denominated cutaneous,* • whether de- 

 pending upon a peculiar habit of body, or 

 arising from specific morbid matter introduc- 

 ed into the system, we have sufficient evidence 

 to believe that the eupatorium may be em- 

 ployed with great advantage. Its general 

 action upon the secretions, particularly those 

 of the surface of the body and upon the urinary 

 organs, presents sufficient proof, that in those 

 cases in which alteratives are indicated, it will 

 be productive of very salutary effects ; and 

 such indeed was found to be the fact' in the 

 management of a particular and distressing 

 affection of the herpetic kind, w hich was for- 

 merly very common in Virginia, and there 

 known by the name of the James' River ring- 

 worm ; so called because the disease was espe- 

 cially prevalent among the inhabitants who 



* See Dr. Willan's arrangement of Cutaneous Diseases. 



