50 



or of fomentation to painful tumors and ulcers and cutaneous 

 eruptions. 



The Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is rather an unsightly plant, and 

 is somewhat rare in Louisiana. I have only met with it near Ville 

 Platte, in St. Landry parish, and seems to be introduced. The 

 leaves and flowers have a narcotic smell, which, in the dried flowers, 

 becomes agreeable. Their taste is mucilaginous, herbaceous and 

 bitterish. They are emollient, and are said to possess anodyne 

 properties, which renders them useful in chronic diseases. They 

 impart their virtue to water by infusion. 



The three-leafed Nightshade (Trillium sessile) is a pretty little 

 herbaceous plant, and grows in the swamp lands of the Amite river. 

 The roots are reputed to possess valuable remedial properties. They 

 are employed by the Indians, and have been used by the country 

 people. They are astringent and tonic. 



The Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a well known plant, growing 

 by the roadside and at the edge of gardens. This species of nettle 

 produces, upon the slightest touch, a burning pain in the fingers, 

 which continues for some time. Its irritant effect is said to be owing 

 o the presence of free formic acid in the sharp and tubular hairs. 

 The young shoots are boiled and eaten by some people as a remedy 

 jn scurvey, and the fresh plant is sometimes used to excite external 

 vesication in cases of torpid and local palsey. 



The Vervain (Verbena officinalis) grows most abundantly in every 

 part of the State, near towns and cultivated fields. It has long 

 spikes of small blue flowers, and blossoms from the beginning of 

 summer till late in autumn. It was highly esteemed by the ancients 

 both as a medicine and as a sacred plant employed in certain religious 

 rites. In modern times superstitious notions in relation to its virtues 

 are still entertained, and the suspension of the root around the neck 

 by means of a white ribbon has been gravely recommended for the 

 cure of scrofula. The leaves when bruised and made into a 

 cataplasm, are used by country people as a remedy in severe head- 

 ache and other local pains. Its real medicinal virtues are somewhat 

 doubtful. 



The Water Cress (Nasturtium officinale) has a fleshy stem, and 

 grows in springs, rivulets and ponds. When fresh it has a quick, 

 penetrating odor, especially when rubbed, and a bitterish, pungent 

 taste. It is used in spring as a salad, and employed sometimes in 

 scurvey. 



