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brated Dr. Withering seems to have remarked the salivating effect of digitalis, many years ago. am doubtful (he says) whether it does not sometimes excite a copious flow of saliva." An Account of the Foxglove, and some of its medical uses, &c. p. 184. Birmingham: 1785. Some of the cases which the doctor relates, in this work, show, I think, in a very satisfactory manner, that this vegetable, so remarkable for its effects in lowering the pulse, &c., has sometimes really produced a great increase of the salivary fluid. The Squill (Scilla maritima), a vegetable in many respects allied to digitalis, has also been known to salivate; and it is worthy of observation, that several other diuretic medicines produce the same effect. The Seneka Snake-root (Polygala Senega) may be mentioned in this place. (See Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United-States. Part First, page 25. Part Second, page 37.) It is much to be regretted, that the generality of physicians devote so little attention to the various (though less constant) effects of vegetables upon the human and other animal systems. Without much of philosophic attention, in this way, ages must elapse before a satisfactory arrangement of the articles of the MATERIA MEDICA can be accomplished: for, as yet, every arrangement is defective, and liable to many objections.

THE EDITOR.

XXII. Hints relative to the External Employment of the Leaves of the Liriodendron Tulipifera, or Tuliptree, in cases of Gout and Rheumatism. EDITOR.

By the

THE Liriodendron Tulipifera, or Tulip-tree, one of the most common trees in many parts of the United-States, has been the subject of much attenamong the physicians of Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. But, it is probable, that all its medical properties are not yet known.

tion

In the course of a tour through Virginia, in the year 1802, I was informed, that it was the practice of some of the physicians, in that State, to apply the green leaves of this tree to the local pains in cases of rheumatism and gout, and that much advantage had been derived from the practice. Several layers of the leaves are directed to be laid upon the affected parts, from which they excite a profuse perspiration, which seldom fails to afford relief to the patient.

Two very respectable physicians residing in Winchester (Virginia) assured me, that they had found the Tulip-tree-leaves, thus employed, very useful. One of these gentlemen informed me, that he had heard of instances in which they have acted as vesicatories; though this, he observed, is a rare occurrence. They sometimes excite a considerable degree of pain in they part to which they are applied.

I have myself tried the effect of the leaves in my own person; and, I think, with very decided advantage. Applied to the feet, they seemed very soon to induce a pleasurable glowing heat in the part, and a considerable degree of perspiration. I can hardly entertain a doubt, that these were the effects of the application. I have also recommended the leaves to some of my patients, by one of whom, in particular, they were thought to be very useful. They were applied to the head, in a case of paralysis.

The active property, whatever may be its nature, that resides in the green leaves of the Liriodendron, is not entirely lost in the dried leaves. Accordingly, in Virginia, these last are directed to be employed, when the former cannot be procured. It will not be supposed, that they are as efficacious as the fresh leaves,

A lady, in Virginia, informed me, that she has known the dried leaves, after having been soaked in milk and water for some time, to afford much relief when applied to recent burns.

These things are recorded, "with hesitation, and with doubts." An excess of incredulity is, perhaps, not less injurious to the progress of useful truth than the opposite state of the mind. MEDICINE IS NOT YET A SCIENCE. In order to render it worthy of this name, we must collect facts with labour, and with patience. Nor must we entirely withhold from public view, assertions, however improbable, pro

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vided they rest upon respectable authorities. fear of having credulity imputed should never hinder the publication of physical facts-however unaccountable they may appear; for, no one will pretend that we already are acquainted with all the laws of nature : on the contrary, they ought to be made generally known, that their truth or falsehood may be established by numerous experiments, especially when, as in the present instance, the means are so much within the reach of" so many, "who may wish to

dertermine the matter for" themselves.

In this place, it may not be amiss to mention. (though the fact has but little connection with the preceding ones), that the wood of the Liriodendron, especially the variety with yellow wood, owing to its great sensibility with respect to the changes of the atmosphere, is found to make an excellent hygrometer. This wood is observed to shrink and swell very considerably, by reason of the alterations in the degrees of dryness and moisture in the air. For the hygrometer, a narrow, thin, and broad piece of the wood, cut across the grain, is used. Mr. William Dunbar (to whom, I think, we owe the knowledge of the fact) found, that the sensibility of the wood was improved by boiling it, after it had been made very dry, in a solution of mild alkali, or common potash.

XXIII. On the Use of Plaster of Paris (different varieties of Gypsum, or Sulphate of Lime), as a manure, in Virginia. In a Letter to the EDITOR, from his Brother, Mr. RICHARD P. BARTON, of Frederick-County, Virginia.

THE use of Plaster of Paris is becoming more and more general. It is found to answer well upon some of our soils, particularly such as are dry, friable, and contain white flint; also upon what are termed slate-lands. In such soils as are highly calcareous, I think little, if any, effect is produced. my own farm, which contains much of the latter soil, the effect of plaster is never visible; but on my slatelands, adjoining the limestone, the influence of plaster is great, particularly on clover.

On

It is my opinion, that it never produces any visible effect upon lands that are highly calcareous. This theory is contradicted by many persons here, who say, that it has much benefited their crops, although their lands are limestone-lands. But, in fact, at least half the surface soil of lands denominated limestone is not calcareous, or contains calcareous earth in small quantity. Upon inquiry, in every instance, I am told, that the effect of plaster is greatest upon the poorer or thinner soils, in the intermediate spaces between the beds or ledges of limestone. These poor spots generally lie higher than the beds of limestone, and cannot, therefore, receive the washings from them. Their complexion, which is generally pale, proves, that