(seq. 97)

88

Materia Medica

Astringents

usefull, and this plant is a verry common remidy amongt our
Indians. Orobanche Virginiana. This is called
broom rape or cancer root, this belongs to the calass and order
Dydenanira Gymnospermia of Linneus, it is found growing under the
Fagus Syleaticu, has a nauseous taste and is a powerfull astringent.
I believe this root with arsenic formed what is called Martins
cancer powder, for it is well known Martin collected large quantities
near Pittsburg and Dr Rush detected arsenic in his powder, it
was verry astringent to the taste, here I may remark that
astringents are too much neglected in ulcers, they are frequently the
most powerfull remidy both internally and externally. I would
advise you to try this root in cancers and ulcers. Martins powder
was certainly superior to any powder we are acquainted with
in the cure of ulcers. I have seen it employed with more success
than generally attends those physicians who use arsenic alone.

Tormentilla Erecta. The tormentil root is a very pure
astringent, it considerably resembles the cinquefoil, it was
considerably used before the chincona and was used in its stead in Germany.
Dr Cullen employed it in intermittant fevers it has been
recommended to prevent abortions, these are frequently connected with