(seq. 161)

152

Materia Medica

Tonics

recommended in gout, and has been used since the time of Galen,
it is an ingredient in the Portland Powder, which has certainly been
injurious to those that used it. Dr Booerhave knew a patient who
used the aqueous infusion of Birthwort and had the villous
coat of his stomach removed.

Aristolochia Serpentaria. Or Virginia Snake root, this is
found only in North America, there are several other plants
called snake root besides the one now mentioned entirely
different from each other, it probably possesses most of the properties
ascribed to the Aristolochia Longa, it is bitter and has an acid
acrimony, it is more agreeable than the Longa, 1st It affords
true camphor out of the body, it is an antiseptic according to
Pringle, it is a considerable tonic and is one of our stimulating
bitters. The Rad. Serp. Virg. which is the proper name of this plant
we are now speaking of it is more stimulating than other bark
we have, and upon the whole I believe Serpentaria in many
cases may be an improper medicine and should not be given
only in the sinking of the fever. I further believe that there
is no case when the pulse can be raised by medicine that
the snake root will fail in doing it. Dr Cullen says no