ceive, some years ago, that it had been too much neglected, and therefore resolved to adopt it, as occasion might point out.

The cases in which I have found it to succeed best, have been such as demanded a light, agreeable bitter, combined with an anodyne quality as

First in various cases of dyspepsia, attended with pain and flatulency in the stomach and bowels; entire loss of appetite, and restless nights.

Secondly in catarrhs and asthmas, and other cases attended with a troublesome tickling cough, and great inquietude.

Thirdly in painful cases of gravel and stone, or biliary concretions, or severe after-pains of child-bed

women.

Lastly in the above and other painful cases where an opiate was greatly wanted, but could not be exhibited, in any of the usual forms, without producing violent retching, severe head-ache, or other very untoward symptoms. Here a strong infusion of the hop, pursued freely, both internally and externally, has seldom failed to sooth the pains, and finally to procure a calm, tranquil sleep.

I have seldom used it in any other form than that of infusion, stronger or weaker according to the state of the stomach, and other circumstances: sometimes

combining other bitters, agreeable to the intention, as chamomile flowers, tansey, quassia, Peruvian bark, &c., sometimes cassia, nutmeg, cloves, or some of the aromatic seeds, as carraway, annis, coriander, cardomoms, &c.

Such are the observations that occur to me on the subject in question. Should they coincide with your own, I shall be glad.

From, Dear Sir, very sincerely,

Philadelphia, Sept. 12th,

Yours,

A. FOTHERGILL.

1804.

IX. Observations on the Internal Use of the Rhus Radicans. In a letter from Colonel GEORGE GIBSON, to Colonel ISAAC KAGEY.

MANY persons, inhabitants of this county (Allegeny county*), who were supposed to be in the last stage of a consumption, have been restored to perfect health, by taking the decoction of a vine, the receipt for preparing which I now send to you, assuring you, that the fact is too well established to admit of any doubt.

The many persons who have been cured of pulmonary complaints, some of them very bad, give me

hope, nay the strongest assurance, that you will derive the same advantage from using the medicine.

There are two vines of the same species, called "Poison-Vines." The one grows in meadows, and appears like a number of small vines from the same root, matting and creeping spirally around old stumps and trees, both dead and green. The other, which is the one you are to make use of, you will find growing in strong, rich uplands, where water sometimes stagnates. This vine usually rises at the root of a large oak, and ascends straight with the trunk of the tree, to which it connects itself by a number of small fibres, and adheres so closely that it is hardly perceptible, until you observe its leaf and branches, which generally shoot out at six, eight, or ten feet from the ground.

You are to cut this last vine into pieces of ten inches, or a foot, in length; take the bark carefully off; divide these pieces into as many slips as you can, throwing away the bark and pith. Put as many of these slips as a man can grasp between both hands, into a clean, iron pot, with one gallon of water, which is to be reduced, by boiling, to something better than a pint. Of this decoction, which you may sweeten to your palate, take three wine-glasses full every day, at three equal periods, beginning (fasting) in the morning.

REMARKS.

The first of the vines mentioned above is the Rhus Toxicodendron: the second (and that which is directed to be used) is the Rhus Radicans. A decoction of the vines of the Rhus Radicans, known by the names of Poison-Vine, Cow-itch, Mercury, &c., has lately been employed, in a case of pulmonary consumption, in the Pennsylvania Hospital. The particulars of this case will, in due time, be published in this Journal. At present, it seems proper to observe, that after the medicine had been employed, for some time, with evident advantage, the patient (a delicate female) fell a victim to the disease.

THE EDITOR.

X. Memorandum concerning the Use of Indigo in the disease of Cynanche Trachealis.

THE following preparation of Indigo is said to have been used, with much advantage, in the disease of cynanche trachealis, croup, or hives.

A portion of the common Carolina Indigo (the fecula so called) is put into a rag, and is stirred about in water, until the latter becomes strongly impregnated with the colouring matter. Of this water the doze for a child, two or three years old, is a teaspoonful, every eight or ten minutes.

The medicine is said to produce no very sensible effect or, rather, it is found to do good when no very sensible effect has been produced. Sometimes, it pukes; but this operation is not necessary to ensure the good effects of the medicine. On the contrary, it is thought to be less effectual in relieving the symptoms of the disease, when it has puked.

This mode of treating croup (the spasmodic form of the disease) is, so far as the Editor knows, entirely limited to Virginia, and especially to the county of Culpeper. The Editor will gladly receive any further information on the subject. In the meanwhile, he thinks it proper to observe, that he records the preceding information, as he will often be found to record real or supposed medical facts, with hesitation, and with doubts.

THE EDITOR.

XI. On the use of Cod-fish, in the disease of Bronchocele, or Goitre. In a letter to the EDITOR, from Mr. JAMES GEDDES.

I MENTIONED, I think, that the people of Manlius* make use of Cod-fish, as a remedy for this complaint. These people become more and more confident of the efficacy of this remedy. But, notwith

* One of the military townships in the State of New-York. EDITOR.