TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



91 



act as specifics against the bite of serpents, and it deserves, 

 on that account, to be more accurately examined. We 

 will here mention only the Mikania Guaco, described by 

 Humboldt, resembling our plant, the Prenanthes serpciitaria 

 Pursch ; Liatris scariosa and squarrosa, W. ; and Milleria 

 Contrai/erm, L. 



3. Mil homems. Aristolochia rmgens, Sw. ; Aristolo- 

 chia grandiflora, Gomez, loc. cit. p. 64. tab. 6. The 

 root, which has a very penetrating, disagreeable smell, 

 like that of rue, and a strong, bitter, aromatic taste, pro- 

 duces almost entirely the same effects as the Virginia 

 snake-root [A. serpentaria). It is very frequently used 

 in the country against ulcers, paralytic affections of the 

 extremities, dyspepsy, impotentia virilis, in nervous and 

 intermitting fevers, especially those in which a predomi- 

 nant disorder of the pituitous membrane, or the whole 

 lymphatic system has been observed, and, lastly, against 

 the bites of serpents. According to Gomez, loc. cit. the 

 powdered root is given in doses of a scruple, from four 

 to six times a day; the decoction is ordered in doses of 

 four to six ounces, and the juice expressed from the leaves, 

 of one to two drams daily. 



4. Jarrinha. Aristolochia macroura^ Gomez, loc. cit. 

 p. 77. tab. 4. The root and the herb itself surpass in 

 strength of smell and taste the preceding kind of birth- 

 wort, and are applied in the same manner. 



5. Caiapia*, incorrectly called Carapia'm the language 

 of the Brasilians, in Portuguese, Contrayerva. Dorstenia 

 brasiliensis^ L. (not Dorste7iia Contrayerba, as generally sup- 

 posed). The tuberous root is used like the Serpen taria against 

 nervous fevers and general debility, as well as against the 

 bite of serpents, and when quite fresh, is said to operate 



* From Caa folium and Capyd testiculus, from the resemblance of 

 the root to the latter. 



