( 86 ) 
than perhaps, the beft of our Alexipharmicks (which 
you know are generally Diaphoretick) might have pro- 
duced in this Cafe. Befides, I believe the Draught of 
warm Milk did adt its part, by involving the Acid or 
Acrimonious Poifonous Particles, and rendring them un- 
adive, and preventing their ieizing the Geniu l^ervofum^ 
till they were expelled per Diaphorefm. Bat this is but 
my Conjedure, which I w iUingly lubmit to more ma- 
ture Judgments. This happened about Thirty Years 
ago; buc there are many yet ahve, who afTert the Truth 
of it, having been Eye witnefles of this dreadful Trage- 
dy. There was alfo a Dutch-man, about Two Years fince, 
within Eight Miles of this Place, Poyfoned by bo>hng 
and eating the Tops of this Plant, {hred into his Pottage ; 
he was foon after found dead in his Boat, and his little 
Irifh Boy gave Account of the Caufe of his Death, to be 
eating this Herb, which he foiewarned his Mafter againft, 
but in vain, the Dutch-man aflerting, that it was good 
Sallade in his Country ; fo that I believe he took it for 
Apium Pakjlre, which its Leaves much refembie. Thus 
far Dr. Vaughan, 
Several Parallel and no lefs Tragical Hifiories of later 
Date, of the mifcrable Deftruftion of divers Perfons, by 
the eating of the Roots of this pernicious and dtleteri- 
ous Plant, I find recorded by Jacohus ^^epferus, in his 
Book de Noxis Ckuta aquaticie, and in the Mifceilanea 
curhfa or Ephemerides German. Dec, 2. An. 6. Oljerv, 
1 1 6. 
Wherefore I think it is for the Intereft of Mankind 
that all Perfons be (ufBciently cautioned againft ventu- 
ring to eat of this, and indeed any other unknown Herb 
or Root, left they incur the fame Fate ; and in order 
thereto, that fuch-Hiftories be made Publick and tranf- 
mitted to Pofterity. 
VI. Several 
