TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



95 



the port vein, perhaps from the combination of viscous, 

 sharp, and alkaline parts in their stalks and leaves. 



1 7. CoRDAO DO FRADE. Pklomts uepetifoUa^ L. The 

 entire plant is used in baths against rheumatic complaints. 



18. JuRiPEBA. Solanum paniculatum, Ju. Thejuiceof the 

 bruised leaves and unripe fruit is much esteemed, as a power- 

 ful remedy in obstructions of the bowels, especially of the 

 liver, and in catarrhus vesicae. Several other kinds of 

 solanum are used in similar diseases. When applied 

 fresh, they generally act very favourably in cleansing and 

 healing wounds and ulcers. 



19. A kind of Solanum which Velloso, in his manu- 

 script of the Flora Fluminensis calls Solanum ceriiuum. 

 The decoction of the flowers and leaves is a powerful 

 sudorific, and is spoken of as very serviceable in syphilis, 

 gonor. invet., &c. 



20. Douradinha do Campo. The leaves of the Pali" 

 courea Speciosa^ Humb., which by their yellow colour have 

 obtained for the plant the name of Gold Shrub, are highly 

 spoken of here as an antisyphiliticum, and the dis- 

 order being so common, are much used. The decoc- 

 tion, which in large doses proves a real poison, acts 

 especially by an increased action of the skin and kidneys ; 

 and the digestion is not injured by moderate doses. The 

 Douradinha is especially used in the forms of the disease 

 most prevalent here. 



21. Erva MULAR, or CuRRALEiRA. Crotou antisypMUti" 

 cum, Mart. [Sicffruticomm, erectum pilis stellatis hispido-sca- 

 brum suhpulverulejitum, foliis lato-lanceolatis, basi cuneatis, 

 in(Equaliter duplico-seiTatis, capsidis hispidis.) The leaves 

 of this new species produce the same effects as those of 

 the preceding plant, but in a much higher degree. The 

 decoction acts as a powerful stimulant on the nervous sys- 

 tem, as well as on all the secretions. Applied in the form of 

 a cataplasm, it is considered as the best means to disperse 



