358 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



globose heads, surrounded by an involucrum. Calyx adhering to the ovary, small, obo- 

 vate, whitish. Corolla white, funnel-shaped, five-cleft. Fruit ovate, obtuse, at first pur- 

 pie, afterwards violet-black, containing two seeds. 



It is found in various parts of Brazil, but is most abundant between the 8th 

 and 20th degree of south latitude. It flowers in January and February, 

 and ripens its fruit in May. The root forms a very valuable export from 

 Brazil. It is principally collected by the Indians, who, during the two months 

 in which it is gathered, leave their villages almost deserted, and dwell in the 

 forests in which it is found ; the consequence is, that it is almost extirpated in 

 many spots formerly abounding with it. The plants are pulled up, the roots 

 separated from the stem, washed clean, and tied in small parcels, for the pur- 

 pose of drying. This is done in January and February, or during the flow- 

 ering season, thus giving the plant no chance of increasing by seed. 



The first account of this article was given by Michael Tristan, a native of 

 Brazil. He speaks of it as a remedy in dysentery in the following terms : 

 " Jgpecaya or Pigaya is profitable for the bloodie fluxe ; the stalke is a quarter 

 long, and the roots another or more ; it hath onely foure or five leaves ; it 

 smelleth much wheresoever it is, but the smell is strong and terrible. This 

 root is beaten and put in water all night at the draw, and in the morning, if 

 this water with the same root be beaten and strained, be drunk (onely the 

 water), it causeth presently to purge in such sort that the taske ceaseth alto- 

 gether." (Purchas' Pilgrimes, iv. 1311). It was a few years afterwards 

 noticed by Piso, (Hist. Nat. Bras. 101,) in 1648 ; he says that it was emetic, 

 and considered as a specific in diseases of the bowels ; his description of it, 

 however, was very imperfect, and it was not until 1672 that it was introduced 

 into Europe, when a French physician by the name of Legras, brought a 

 quantity from South America, and sold it under the name of Mine d'or. 

 From having been improperly given, or being deteriorated, it was esteemed 

 as of little value, and it was owing to mere accident that it was again brought 

 into notice by Helvetius. 



Whilst he was a student at Paris he accompanied a physician by the name 

 of Afforty, to visit a merchant named Grenier ; this latter having recovered 

 from his disease, testified his gratitude by making Afforty a present of a por- 

 tion of a valuable remedy in dysentery, that had been sent to him from South 

 America. Afforty attaching but little importance to the gift, transferred it to 

 Helvetius, who experimented with if on several persons affected with bowel 

 complaints and was very successful. Finding that the virtues of the article 

 had not been exaggerated, he published to the world that he was in possession 

 of a certain remedy in dysentery, carefully concealing what it was. But 

 several of the attendants on Louis XIV., and finally the dauphin being at- 

 tacked with the prevailing disorder, the king ordered an arrangement to be 

 made with Helvetius for the promulgation of his secret. This was done, and 

 a thousand louis d'ors paid him for it. Its use now became general, and it 

 was universally looked upon as a perfect panacea in all complaints of the 

 digestive organs. 



This increased demand caused a variety of different roots, all known in 

 Brazil under the name of Poaya, to be sent to Europe, until the appellation 

 of Ipecacuanha was bestowed upon all roots of American origin, endowed 

 with emetic properties ; but nothing was known with regard to the plants 

 producing them. Until the time of Linnaeus it was generally thought that Ipe- 

 cacuanha was furnished by a kind of violet. About the year 1724, how- 

 ever, the celebrated Mutis, then travelling in New Granada, sent to the 

 Swedish naturalist an account of a plant, which he supposed to be that no- 



