64 ^ Treatise 
differs little from the former. The Leaves are fome- 
thing broader and rougher. The Roots alfo are 
larger, and having a weaker Smell and Tafte, are 
not fo valuable. 
The Roots of Ginger are gathered every Year 
after the Flowers are withered, and, the exterior 
Bark being taken off, are thrown into a Brine or 
Pickle : Where having lain an Hour or two in 
Maceration, they are expofed as long to the Heat 
of the Sun ; and then are fpread upon Mats in the 
Shade, till they are quite dry. 
The Indians ufe the Leaves of the Plant in Sal- 
lads, Soops, and other culinary Preparations. The 
green Roots alfo, cut fmall with other Herbs, are 
eat in Sallads with Oil, Salt and Vinegar. They 
are likewife candied with Sugar and ferved up in 
Deferts. 
Ginger yields in Diftillation an unpleafant and 
extremely acrid effential Oil. It abounds with a 
volatile oily Salt, replete with an hot or fiery Prin- 
ciple, to which its Smell, Tafte and Virtues are 
owing. 
Galen concludes, that the Parts whereof it con- 
fifts are not fo fine as the Parts of Pepper, becaufe 
its Tafte, though equally ftrong, is not immedi- 
ately perceptible in the Mouth : And the Heat 
which proceeds from Ginger, continuing longer, 
than that from Pepper, he thence alfo infers, that its 
Subftance is more grofs and moift. 
Biofcorides fays it gently relaxes the Belly : Which 
is true, if the Roots are eat while they are frefh 
and tender ; but when kept for fome Time they are 
rather drying and aftringent. 
Frefh Ginger is reckoned by the Indians an excel- 
lent Remedy againft colick Pains, the celiack and 
lienterick Paffions, long Diarrhoeas proceeding from 
Cold, Flatulencies, Gripings of the Belly, and other 
Difor- 
