ROCKY MOUNTAIN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. IO3 
Dr. Brickell, who also resided in North Carolina, 
and was a contemporary writer with Lawson, in al- 
luding to the existence of the venereal disease among 
some of the Indian tribes, considers it a by no means 
settled fact that the disease existed in America prior 
to the Europeans coming, but states that the Indians 
were able to cure syphilis by the use of berries, that 
produced salivation as though mercury had been used. 
C. C. Jones says that the Jaouanas were successful 
in the cure of venereal disease; and Charlevoix, in 
speaking of it, states that the Indians used a 
powder of three simples that was an effectual cure of 
the most inveterate French disease." Notwithstand- 
great propagator of such juices as it often meets withal in human 
bodies, once tainted with this malady, which may differently (in some 
respects) act its tragedy, the chances being occasioned by the difference 
of climates and bodies in Europe. We being well enough assured that 
the pox had its first rise (known to us) in this New World, it being 
caught of the Indian women by the Spanish soldiers, w^ho followed 
Columbus in one of his expeditions to America, who, after their ar- 
rival in Old Spain, were hastened to the relief of Naples, at that time 
besieged by the French. Provisions growing scarce, the useless peo- 
ple were turned out of the city, to lessen the mouths. Amongst these 
the courtezans were one part, who had frequently embraced the Span- 
iards, being well fraught with riches by their new discovery. The 
leager ladies had no sooner lost their Spanish Dons, but found them- 
selves entertained by the P'rench, whose camp they traded in, giving 
the Monsieurs as large a share of the pocky spoils within their own 
lines as the Spaniards had, who took the pains to bring it in their 
native breeches as far as from America. The large supply of swine's 
flesh which that army was chiefly victualed withal made it rage. The 
siege was raised. The French and Spaniards retreating to Flanders, 
which was a parade of all nations; by which means this filthy dis- 
temper crowded itself into most nations of the known world." (Law- 
on's History of North Carolina, pp. 37, 38, 39; Raleigh edition, i860.) 
