

A STE RACEME. 391 



the margins of streams in every part of the United States, sometimes in the 

 greatest profusion. It flowers in August, and continues in bloom until Octo- 

 ber. The whole plant is used, and is generally found in the shops in packages 

 put up by the Shakers ; these contain the leaves and flowers, and when not 

 deteriorated by damp, are a good mode of preparing the article. Some differ- 

 ence of opinion has existed as to which part of the plant was most efficient. 

 Dr. Anderson (Diss. Inaug.) thought from his experiments, that the leaves 

 were the most active; in this he is supported by Dr. Chapman and others, but 

 more extended observations have shown that the flowers and small branches 

 are fully as useful. No accurate analysis of this plant has been made. Dr. 

 Bigelow made an examination of it some years since, which showed that the 

 leaves and flowers abound in a bitter extractive matter, which is probably the 

 active principle. It is soluble in water and alcohol, and forms copious preci- 

 pitates with the metallic salts. Rafinesque speaks of a peculiar brown, bitter, 

 resinous principle in it which he terms Eupatorine, but does not state by 

 whom it was detected. The odour of Boneset is agreeable, and its taste bitter 

 but unpleasant. 



Boneset was known to the Indians, and held in much estimation by them 

 for its febrifuge properties; from them the early settlers derived their know- 

 ledge of its virtues, and it became a favourite remedy in domestic practice, 

 long before it attracted the attention of the profession. 



Medical Properties. — These are various, and it has been employed to fulfil 

 a number of indications, being given as a tonic, a diaphoretic, or an emetic, 

 as the circumstances of the case might require. Besides these, many others 

 have been attributed to it, but without much foundation ; if one-half that has 

 been advanced respecting the curative powers of this article were to be 

 credited, it would deserve the name of a universal panacea. It is certainly 

 a highly important remedy when properly administered, but by no means 

 endowed with the high powers that have been attributed to it. 



As an emetic, it is given in warm decoction, and is considered by Dr Ives 

 as valuable in the early stage of autumnal fevers, but it is uncertain in its 

 operation on the stomach, and does not deserve to rank higher than the infu- 

 sion of chamomile. In large doses it is said to act on the bowels, and Dr. 

 Thacher states "that it has long been esteemed as an efficacious remedy in 

 bilious colic, accompanied by obstinate constipation, in the dose of a teacupful 

 every half hour, until a cathartic effect is produced." As a diaphoretic, there 

 is ample testimony of its powers, particularly in catarrhal affections ; and Dr. 

 Anderson speaks of it in high terms in various forms of fever, in which he is 

 fully sustained by the testimony of many distinguished practitioners. From 

 an extensive use of it, I have been led to look upon it as an extremely import- 

 ant auxiliary in the treatment of these complaints, but that it should not be 

 relied upon to the exclusion of other, and more efficient articles. 



As a tonic, it is also deserving of notice, and is well suited to those cases 

 of dyspepsia, and want of tone in the system, requiring the exhibition of the 

 simple bitters. When given with this view, the best form is the cold infusion. 

 It has been highly praised in the treatment of some cutaneous affections, but 

 has not been found as efficacious as has been stated. Dr. W. P. C. Barton 

 states that it proved of no value in his hands in obstinate eruptions ; on the 

 other hand, Dr. Zollickoffer found it eminently successful in Tinea capitis, 

 given in combination with Cremor Tartar. 



It is given .in powder in doses often or twenty grains, and in infusion made 

 with an ounce of the herb to a pint of boiling water, in those of two or three 

 ounces. 



Two other native species are officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia, the E. 



