12 A Treatise on 
Mr. Houjion , in the Place above quoted o! the 
Philofophical Pranfattions, Fig. 2. mentions alfo an- 
other Sort, under the Name of Dorftenia , Dentari 
radice , laciniato , placenta quadrangulari el 
undu{atd . This at the firft Sight appears to be 
quite a diftindl Species from the former ; but Lin- 
n<eus thinks the Variation in the Leaves and Pla - 
confidering the Refemblance in other Re- 
fpedts, not fufiicient to determine it of another Spe- 
cies. And of the fame Opinion is Monfieur Ber- 
nard de JvJfieu , who afcribes the different Figure 
of the Placenta to the Receptaculum commune un- 
folding itfelf more or lefs in Proportion to its Ma- 
turity.] 
Contrayerva is reckoned fudorifick and alexiphar- 
tnack. Clujius fays the Leaves of the Plant are 
an immediate Poifon, for which the Root, he tells 
us, is an Antidote, as alfo for other Poifons: this, 
however, is not to be underftooa but of fuch 
Poifons as coagulate the Humours. It ftrengthens 
the Stomach, helps Concodtion, difcuffes Wind, 
.and increafes the inteftine or fermentative Motion 
of the Blood. Some affert that it cures malignant 
Fevers, or even the Plague, preferring it to the 
Bezoar-Stone, Venice Treacle, and all- other Anti- 
dotes : but, perhaps, they extol its Virtues too 
much. By its Smell and Tafte it feems to be 
compofed of a moderate Portion of volatile aro- 
matick oily Salt, fomewhat intangled in earthy 
Parts. Wherefore, I think Herman commends it 
in malignant Fevers not without Reafon, and more 
efpecialiy when they are attended with a Loofenefs. 
It is prescribed in Subfiance to gj. and in Decoc- 
tion to ^ij. 
Take of Contrayerva in Powder gfs. Prepared 
Pearls and Hartfhorn a 9j. Mix and give 
them 
