TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 55 



rhage ; in the yellow wood of the biitua {Abuta 

 rufescens) he saw a hint of its efficacy against 

 diseases of the liver \ in the testicle-shaped root 

 of the contrayerva (Dorstenia brasiliensis) and 

 the heart-shaped leaves of the Coracdo de Jesus 

 (Mikania officinalis, nob.) an indication of strength- 

 ening and cordial qualities ; and considered the 

 large bright flowers of the Gomphrena officinalis, 

 nob. as an expression of many excellent qualities 

 of the root, which he therefore distinguished by 

 the significant name of Paratudo (good for every 

 thing). We might mention several other similar 

 natural productions, which the Paulista, having 

 judged to be efficacious from their external ap- 

 pearance, tried, in a very rude empirical manner 

 it is true, and applied them more and more fre- 

 quently against diseases. Among this little people 

 of colonists, who were left only to their own 

 simplicity and the natural riches which surround 

 them, medicine began with mere practical ex- 

 perience and popular traditions, and assumed 

 the same character which it bore in Europe in 

 the middle ages ; and as testimonies of which, 

 we still find in several Pharmacopoeias of old 

 date, elks' claws, the scincus officinalis, &c. The 

 scientific physician must here make use of the 

 simple accounts and experience of the country 

 people, to extend the knowledge of medicine, as 

 Hippocrates formerly used the votive tables in 

 the temples. Wounds in particular, and external 



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