370 
OX SCUTELLARIA LATERIFOLIA. 
ammonical salts, the residue dissolved in water, the potash precip- 
itated by chloride of platinum, and the filtered liquid then tested 
for soda. — Chem. Gaz. March 15, 1811, from Liebig's Jlnnalen, 
lxxiii. p. 339 ; and Archiv der Phar. lxiv. p. 1. 
ON SCUTELLARIA LATERIFOLIA. 
By C. H. Cleateland ; M. D. 
One of the most valuable nervines that have been discovered for 
our use, is to be found by the side of many of our streamlets, and 
in low marshy places in nearly every part of this State, and in 
sufficient quantities to supply the entire profession from Maine to 
Texas, should they but be convinced, that with us grow plants 
possessing medicinal properties as useful and as potent as are ob- 
tained from distant climes. 
Such, I think, must be the belief of all who will make a trial of 
the Scutellaria laterifolia, in the place of the English or German 
Valerian (Valerian officinalis,) that has been the main article in 
use in this region in all nervous diseases since the day when As- 
safoetida went out of fashion. 
The Scullcap has not only a most remarkable power of control- 
ling the nervous excitability, as manifested in patients of an irrit- 
able temperament when fatigued, over excited, or suffering from 
slight physical derangement, but its most valuable properties are 
displayed in those severe and painful cases where we are led to use 
our most potent and active remedial means. In Delirium-tremens, 
Tic-dolour eux, Convulsions from irritation of the ganglionic nerves 
or spinal cord, in Chorea Sancti-viti , dental irritation among chil- 
dren, as well as in the ordinary diseases of the nerves, where a sooth- 
ing, quieting medicine is indicated, I have been led to prefer the 
Scutellaria above all o?her nervines or antispasmodics, except in 
those cases where an immediate effect is desirable. In such cases, 
of course we should resort to Chloroform, Ether, Musk, Castor, 
and the other drugs of the same class. 
Among my reasons for this preference, I would mention the tonic 
property of the herb, which gives strength as well as quiet, its su- 
