Am/u0iy?i89iarm'}^^^  North  American  Medicinal  Plants.  325 
gravel-root  and  kidney-root  in  allusion  to  the  supposed  virtues  of 
its  subterraneous  parts.  Some  time  ago  it  was  sent  to  me  from 
Harrisburg,  Pa ,  with  the  statement  that  it  was  said  by  some  par- 
ties to  be  a  sovereign  cure  for  rheumatism,  and  that  it  was  used 
in  the  form  of  tincture  prepared  by  steeping  the  root  in  whisky 
for  a  week.  An  analysis  of  this  drug  was  made  by  Mr.  G.  Herbert 
Ray  and  published  by  Prof.  Trimble  (see  Amer.  Jour.  Phar., 
1890,  p.  74),  from  which  it  appears  that  only  13  to  14  per  cent, 
are  taken  up  by  simple  solvents,  and  of  this  amount  fully  four- 
fifths  consists  of  carbohydrates  and  albuminoids,  the  remainder 
being  resinous,  oily  and  waxy  matters,  so  that  it  is  difficult  to 
imagine  to  what  principle  the  alleged  medical  properties  could  be 
due.  A  compound  of  undoubted  interest,  though  most  likely 
destitute  of  decided  activity,  is  Prof.  Lloyd's  euparin  (ibid.,  p.  76), 
which  crystallizes  in  handsome  bright  yellow  needles,  and  is  apt 
to  be  deposited  from  the  fluid  extract  on  standing.  A  bitter  prin- 
ciple which  is  present  to  a  limited  amount  in  this  drug,  is  prevalent 
to  a  larger  extent  in  other  species ;  but  the  aromatic  properties, 
which  are  frequently  encountered  among  the  560  known  species 
of  Eupatorium,  are  wanting  almost  entirely. 
Hieracium  is  another  extensive  genus,  of  fully  200  species,  of  the 
order  Compositse,  to  which  also  Eupatorium  belongs.  The  plants  of 
the  former  genus  are  generally  more  or  less  bitter  and  astringent, 
and  like  others  of  similar  qualities  have  occasionally  been  employed 
as  mild  astringents  and  tonics.  Of  the  North  American  species,  H. 
venosum,  Linne,  enjoyed  considerable  repute  as  an  alexipharmic, 
hence  the  popular  name  rattlesnake  weed,  by  which  it  is  still  known. 
The  case  related  by  Dr.  Harlan  {Trans.  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  new  ser., 
vol.  iii)  of  a  person  who  allowed  himself  to  be  bitten  by  a  rattle- 
snake, and  was  completely  revived  after  taking  some  decoction  of 
this  plant,  is  still  quoted  in  medical  works  on  indigenous  Materia 
Medica.  Another  claimant  for  similar  honors  has  recently  been 
reported  by  Mr.  F.  D.  Kelsey,  of  Helena,  Montana  (Botan.  Gazette, 
1890,  p.  237),  upon  the  testimony  of  a  clergyman,  Rev.  Mr.  Clark, 
who  affirms  that  he  has  successfully  treated  several  patients  and  has 
never  yet  lost  a  case.  He  employs  Hieracium  Scouleri,  Hooker, 
the  fresh  plant  being  bruised,  then  gently  steeped  in  milk,  the 
liquid  strained  and  drank  in  large  quantities  until  the  patient  has 
fully  recovered  ;  he  also  believes  that  it  can  be  made  into  a  prepara- 
tion like  an  extract. 
