300  OBSERVATIONS  ON  ANAGALLIS  ARVENSIS. 
herb  which  has  been  found  unquestionably  efficacious  as  a  cure  for  the  bite 
of  a  mad  dog,  either  in  man  or  beast,  has  been  known  and  used  as  such 
by  the  subscriber  and  his  ancestors  in  Germany  and  Pennsylvania. 
The  herb  and  manner  of  preparation  has  been  cunningly  obtained  from 
me  and  prostituted  for  the  purpose  of  accumulating  wealth,  contrary  to  my 
wishes  or  practice,  and  of  those  from  whom  it  was  derived  ;  and  being  far 
advanced  in  years,  I  am  desirous  to  communicate  it  in  such  a  manner  as 
may  give  the  most  general  information  to  my  fellow  men,  without  the 
most  distant  view  of  emolument. 
I  have  therefore  thought  proper  to  address  these  few  lines  to  you,  in  full 
confidence  that  you  will  take  a  more  effectual  way  to  diffuse  the  informa- 
tion than  from  my  age  and  other  circumstances  is  in  my  power. 
At  your  request,  communicated  by  my  friend  Henry  Orth,  (health  per- 
mitting,} I  will  attend  in  Lancaster,  and  explain  the  subject  fully. 
I  remain  your  friend, 
Valentine  Kittering. 
To  the  Speaker  of  the  Senate." 
This  letter  was  addressed  to  the  Senate  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
that  body  referred  it  to  a  committee  consisting  of  Messrs.  Par- 
son, Porter  and  Lower,  which  committee  was  entrusted  to  con- 
sider it,  and  reported  upon  it,  as  follows  : 
"  The  committee  appointed  to  hear  the  communication  of  Valentine  Kit- 
tering, relative  to  his  cure  of  the  bite  of  a  mad  animal,  report: 
That  they  conferred  with  the  said  Kittering  on  that  subject,  who  informed 
them  that  he  uses  the  herb  called  Chickweed,  which,  when  ripe  or  in  full 
bloom,  he  gathers  and  dries  in  the  shade,  reduces  it  to  a  powder,  and  gives 
a  small  tablespoonful  at  one  time  to  a  grown  person  in  beer  or  water,  in 
weight  of  one  drachm  and  one  scruple,  for  a  child  an  equal  dose,  but  given 
at  three  different  times,  or  it  may  be  eaten  on  bread  with  butter,  honey  or 
molasses,  as  the  person  chooses.  For  a  beast,  a  large  spoonful;  if  by  weight, 
two  drachms  and  one  scruple.  "When  used  green  for  a  beast,  cut  the  herb 
fine  and  mix  it  with  bran,  &c.  When  given  to  swine,  mix  the  powdered 
herb  with  meal  of  any  kind  (dose  as  above)  in  little  balls. 
He  assures  us  he  has  given  it  to  persons  many  weeks  after  they  were 
bitten,  and  never  knew  it  to  fail,  and  never  gives  more  than  a  single  dose, 
except  to  children  as  above.  He  further  says,  it  is  an  excellent  cure  for 
cuts  and  wounds  on  the  human  body.  When  green,  wash  it,  drop  the 
juice  in  the  wound,  and  bind  the  herb,  so  mashed,  over.  The  proper  time 
to  sow  the  seed  is  about  the  beginning  of  April,  and  should  be  sown  thin. 
He  also  informs  us  that  he  is  now  seventy-five  years  old,  was  born  in 
Germany,  and  came  from  thence  with  his  parents  to  Pennsylvania  when 
eleven  years  of  age,  that  his  mother  brought  the  seed  of  the  herb  amongst 
her  garden  seed,  that  he  has  presented  to  your  committee,  for  the  use  of  the 
