been found but little inferior to the common pale Peruvian bark, in intermittent fevers. This species grows in wet places, on the sides of rivers, creeks, &c. and flowers in August and September. I know nothing of the medical properties of the other native species of this genus; viz, Cornus Canadensis, Cornus Cincinata, &c.

MANY years ago, Zannichelli, and of late, Cusson and other writers, recommended the bark of the Esculus Hippocastanum, or Common HorseChesnut, as a substitute for the Peruvian bark. This Esculus is not a native of America, though it thrives very well in the open ground of Pennsylvania, &c. But we have at least two native species of the same genus within the limits of the UnitedStates. Whether the bark of these possess the properties which have been ascribed to the Hippocastanum, I do not know. They deserve to be examined.

I MUST not omit to mention, under this head, the Magnolias. Of this fine genus, we have at least six species, viz. the Magnolia glauca, the acuminata, the tripetala, the grandiflora, the auriculata, and the Fraseri. I believe they all possess nearly one general assemblage of properties; but of this I am

* Æsculus Pavia of Linnæus, and Æsculus flava of Aiton.

not quite certain. The species that is best known to me is the glauca, commonly called Magnolia, Beaver-tree, and Swamp-Sassafras. The bark of this is an agreeable aromatic, tonic, bitter medicine. It has been used in intermittent fevers. The flowers have a powerful and to most persons an agreeable smell. It is an emanation which must be considered as a potent stimulant, or incitant. I am well acquainted with a physician in whom the newlyexpanded flower evidently increased the paroxysm of a fever which came on every afternoon; and also increased the pain of inflammatory gout. This is an interesting fact. In Virginia, a spirituous tincture of the cones, or seed-vessels, of the Magnolia acuminata, which is commonly called CucumberTree, has been used, and we are told very advantageously, in rheumatic complaints.* The bark of the root of the Magnolia grandiflora, sometimes called Tulip-tree, is used in Florida, in combination with the Snake-root, as a substitute to the Peruvian bark, in the treatment of intermittent fevers. The flowers of the Magnolia tripetala, or Umbrella-tree, have a very powerful smell. They often induce nausea and head-ache.

I AM inclined to think that the Cortex Angusturæ, which has lately been introduced into medical

See Dr. Duncan's Medical Commentaries, for the year 1793. Vol. xviii, p. 445.

practice, and is so greatly celebrated as a tonic, by the practitioners of Britain, is the bark of some species of Magnolia.

THE Liriodendron Tulipifera, well known in the United-States, by the names of Tulip-Tree, Poplar, White-Wood, &c. is very closely allied, by its botanical character, to the Magnolias. They both belong to the same class of the sexual system, and both, I believe, possess nearly the same properties. The bark of the Liriodendron is sometimes used in intermittents. Many persons are of opinion, that in this case, it is but little inferior to the Peruvian bark. I have never employed it.

vers.

THE bark of the Populus tremula? or Aspin? has likewise been used in cases of intermittent feThis is a powerful tonic, and deserves the attention of the American physician. It has been found very useful, as a stomachic, in the diseases of our horses.

THE Snake-root, the Aristolochia Serpentaria, is one of the more stimulating tonic bitters. It is certainly a valuable medicine, in the second stage of certain fevers, after the inflammatory diathesis has been removed. It was used with great benefit, in a most malignant fever, attended with carbuncles,

which prevailed at Bristol, on the Delaware, in this state, in the years 1749 and 1753. Another species of this genus, the Aristolochia sipho of L'Heritier, grows in the neighbourhood of Pittsburg, and in other parts of the United-States. This is a large, climbing plant. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and for certain purposes is perhaps preferable to the common Snake-root.

I SHALL conclude this subject of tonics by observing, that we possess a good many of the bitter plants of Europe, which have long claimed the attention of physicians. Our Gentians have not been carefully examined. We have one species which appears to be equal to any of the officinal kinds yet known.

SECT. III.

STIMULANTS, OR INCITANTS.

THE class of STIMULANTS, or INCITANTS, is so very extensive, that in order to exhibit a methodical or natural medical arrangement of these articles, it would be necessary to consider them under a number of different heads, or sections. But this, in such a sketch as I offer you, does not appear necessary. I shall content myself, therefore, with speaking of a few of our native stimulant vegeta

bles, under the two heads of such as are more general, and such as are more partial, or topical, in their operation.

GENERAL STIMULANTS.

I THINK that many of our different balsamic products may, with propriety, be considered under the head of GENERAL STIMULANTS, though they are certainly not the most diffusible articles of this class. Such is the resin of the Populus balsamifera, called Balsam, or Tacamahaca-Tree. This is a native of North-America and of Siberia. The resin is procured from the leaf-buds. This balsam is so very penetrating, that it communicates its peculiar smell and taste to the flesh of certain birds which feed upon the buds. It was formerly supposed, that the Tacamahaca of the shops was the produce of this tree. But it seems more probable that it is the produce of the Fagara octandra.

THE gum-resin which exudes from the Sweetgum, or Maple-leaved Liquidambar-Tree, the Liquidambar Styraciflua of Linnæus, deserves to be mentioned. The storax of the shops is thought to be the produce of this tree: but perhaps this point is not yet quite ascertained. I am informed that the produce of our tree has been used, with advan

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