72 DISSERTATION ON THE 



resided upon the upper streams of James' 

 River. Upon tt)e autliority of Dr. Barton,^ 

 we are informed, tl:at in this affection the eu- 

 patorium perfoliatum was very beneficial. 

 " The patient," says he, "drank a decoction 

 of the plant, and continued the use of it for 

 some time. It sometimes puked, it no doubt 

 purged, and in all probably it operated as a 

 sudorific." In treatment of the influensay or 

 epidemical catarrh which prevailed so gene- 

 rally in the United States, in the year 1807, 

 this vegetable, both in the form of a simple 

 decoction and in that of infusion, proved high- 

 ly serviceable. In the former preparation it 

 was useful from its mild emetic qualities, and 

 from its action upon the skin ; in the L tter its 

 salutary operation was caused by its cordial 

 and tonic properties. In the treatment of 

 other diseases, depending upon epidemical 

 causes, such as measels, scarlatina, small pox, 

 ^c. this plant will also be found deserving of 

 attention. 



* CoUectioQs towards a Materia Medica. 



