NAT. ORDER,.— PAPILI0NACE.S2. 
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effect, they are now admitted into general practice, both in Europe 
and the United States. 
Sir Hans Sloane, who has noticed the diuretic qualities of the 
roots and pods of this plant, observes, that an infusion of the latter 
" is a certain remedy for the dropsy ;" but he takes no notice of the 
vermifuge effects of Cowhage : Brown has, however, informed us, 
that "in the windward islands some of the inhabitants make a sirup 
of the pods, which is said to be very effectual against worms." But 
as little attention would be paid to an observation so vague and un- 
satisfactory as this, we are to consider Mr. Bancroft as the first per- 
son whose writings tended to establish the anthelmintic character 
of Cowhage in Europe, from whence its use was introduced into this 
country. He tells us " the part used is the setaceous hairy substance 
growing on the outside of the pod, which is scraped off, and mixed 
with common sirup or molasses, of which a teaspoonful to a child 
of two or three years old, and double the quantity to an adult, is 
given in the morning before breakfast, and repeated the two succeed- 
ing mornings; after which a dose of rhubarb is usually subjoined. 
This is the empyrical practice of the planters, who usually once in 
three or four months exhibit the Cow-itch in this manner to their 
slaves in general, but especially to all their children, without distinc- 
tion ; and in this manner I have seen it given to hundreds, from one 
year old and upwards, with the most happy success. The patients, 
after the second dose, usually discharged an incredible number of 
worms, even to the amount of more than twenty at a time." He 
concludes by saying, " It is to be observed, that this remedy is par- 
ticularly designed to expel the long round worm; whether it is 
equally deleterious to the ascarides, or whether it has ever been 
used against them, I am uncertain." Other accounts, showing the 
efficacy of this medicine, have since appeared in various medical 
publications, both in this country and Europe, all speaking highly in 
its favor ; and more particularly a treatise professedly written on 
the subject, by Mr. Chamberlain, to which a number of cases are 
