66 
NAT. ORDER. LOEELIACE^. 
the present case, however, I ordered a tea, made from the plant and 
roots, and one single handfull, to two quarts of water, boiled down 
to three pints : of this, to drink a wine glass full, three or four 
times a day ; externally, to bathe and wash the tumor with the 
same tea, two or three times a day, and apply a poultice made 
with one part of the powdered leaves of the same plant, and two 
parts ulmusfulva, mixed with the same tea. This poultice should 
be kept on both night and day, only removing it when the part is 
to be bathed ; the poultice to be renewed once in twenty-four 
hours. It may be proper to remark, also, that at the time of bath- 
ing, I had the parts well rubbed with the bare hand, and the wash 
freely applied. Although still under simple treatment, I consider 
the cancer entirely cured, as not a vestige of it now remains. This 
course of treatment, with a slight^'variation according to circum- 
stances, seldom fails of making cures of the most obstinate kinds. 
As a remedy for cancer, it has long been used by the Indians, and 
the secret sold for a high price. 
For wounds, amputations, inflammations, ulcers, and other 
diseases which have a tendency to terminate in mortification, this 
plant proves one of the most valuable articles in the Materia Med- 
ica. The author would also remark, that one of the most obsti- 
nate cases of gangrene which ever appeared on record, has just 
been cured by the use of this valuable herb. The person re- 
ferred to, is a Mr. Smilie, a highly respectable gentleman of this 
city, now living at 48 Delancy -street ; this gentleman had for the 
last eight months been afflicted with dropsy, in the course of 
which time, he had employed several eminent physicians, who 
gave it as their opinion, that nothing farther could be administered 
to save the life of the patient ; both legs were swelled to an enor- 
mous extent, and mortification had made its appearance. A strong 
decoction made from the leaves of this plant, drank freely, and a 
poultice prepared from the powder, mixed with elm, applied fresh 
every day, effected a perfect cure. 
