Foreign Vegetables. 53 
in Mexico and New Spain (viz.) Mecapatli feu Zar- 
faparilla prima. Quauhmetail feu Zarfa-parilla fe- 
cunda , et tertia ; and Shiauhmecapatli altera feu Zarfa 
quarta. 
From four Pounds and a Half of Sarfaparil, 
diflilled in a Retort, were obtained two Ounces 
of infipid Phlegm ; eight Ounces of fubacid 
Phlegm ; fifteen Ounces of acid Spirit; fourteen 
Ounces of Spirit impregnated both with urinous 
and acid Salt ; and fix Ounces of thick Oil. There 
remained in the Retort twenty-three Ounces of 
Caput mortuum . This being perfectly calcined 
weighed five Ounces, feven Drachms and a Half; 
from which were extracted one Ounce, two Drachms 
and twenty- fix Grains of fixt Salt. Whence it ap- 
pears, that the Effedts of this Root are owing to 
an eflential acid Salt, enveloped with a thick Oil 
and a large Quantity of Earth. 
This Drug was quite a Stranger both to the 
Greeks and Arabians , being firfl brought into Eu- 
rope by the Spaniards from Peru. 
It provokes Sweat, and divides and attenuates 
vifcid and tenacious Humours. In the Pox, Gout, 
catarrhous Affedtions and the Palfy, it is reckoned 
a Specifick ; as alfo in chronical and inveterate 
Diftempers which proceed from thick and vifcid 
Humours ; for refolving obftinate preternatural 
Tumours ; and againft Ulcers, Tetters, and all 
other Difeafes of the Skin. 
When it was much in Vogue for the venereal 
Difeafe, the Method of giving it was this. Four 
Ounces were macerated for twenty-four Hours in 
twelve Pints of Water, which was afterwards 
boiled away to half. The Decodtion was then 
flrained through Linen and kept for Ufe. Of this 
the Patient, after a due Preparation, drank eight 
Ounces warm Morning and Evening, eating no- 
E 3 thing. 
