Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-10-28
ron THE GAZETTE.
TO Physicians IN Tie Country.

TO Physicians an The Country.
GENTLEMEN,
! The field of nature is dappled by an immense va
rciy of vegetable productions Some are designed
to support animal life and vigor others TO restore
/ health and energy TO the unfortunate victim at
! Disease. The same soil which affords Us the means
Of sustenance and wealth. offers also antdote TO
the hanes OF life. As the cultivation of the for
mer is source of alhnence and happiness, 1t is en-
couraged by some noble spirits whose exertions
deserve success aud gratitude. 1t TO be hoped
that you, Gentlemen. may engage with the same
ardor inthe promotion Of those MEDICAL PLANTS
which may be cultivated 10 climate like our
own--indeed il is libel on the fertility of our
soil aud the enterprise of our people, TO obtain
from abroad those materia medica which a little
perseverance and little healthful industry would
End iourishing in our own gardens. To collect
aad rear those plants would be no contemplate OBJ
iect to the Physician who lives on farm in the
country. lie might thus procure his vegetable
medicines at triing expense. lie might pre-
scribe them with more confidence Of success
being beyond the reach Of the avarieious specua-
tor who, regardless of the welfare of his fellow,
and of ell but his own pecuniary interest, adulter-
ates his medicines as he would spirits, and thattoo
with as little conviction of his error or dread OF lis
result. He might thus find an employment and a
pleasure In culdyating his professional garden, and
what to refined mind, isno small qualification, he
would merit the gratitude Of his ERIENDs and bis
IccUETal
The following are among the plants and trees
which il is believed may he reared in the District
Of Maine, whose productions would possess virtues
not iaferiour 70 those Of the kind which at
present procured from abroad.
1 Papaver Lomniierum. White Poppy. The
leaves, stalks and capsules abound with the well
known OPIUM.
2 Hyoscianas Niger Block HenJane. Which
combines caxative with sedative power. The
herb and seed are used in medicine.
g. Datura Strammonium.. Ih0ra Apple. Use
fol in diseases OF the brain, and skin and in other
complaints; also indating the pupil of the eye
The leaves and seeds are both useful
4 Digitalis Pnrpurea. Purple Forglore ms
portant as a stimuant on the absorbants &C. the
leaves are TO be collected.
s. Conium Macnaum. HsuI0ck. It's narcotic
power i well kaown to every scholar who is az
quaioted with the history OF Socrates and Phocion;
the leaves aud seeds possess similar virtues
6. Acon:tum Narellas. Monks Hood. Useful
in glauduar and other complaints. The herb and
root are TO be preserved for use.
These are generally found in mountainous
countries and flourish bestin billy. gravelly, dry,
sandy situations; except the Hemlock, which re.
quires more moisture than the others
| T. AMMONIUM ZlnRIuSf. UHgtT. Z IfnS1S CuftAs
waited in the Indies as potatoes are by US, and like
them dug annually. 1t is already introduced in
some gardens in the District Of Maine where il
1ourishes best in warm situations. The warming
and caminitive virtues pitts root are we'll known.
8. Veratrum Album. Hhite Helleboye. The
root Of this plant supposed TO be the base Of the
Eau Medieinaie d. Husson. 1t is best cultivated
in low, wet, meadoHy, swampy places thought
is found wild among the mountains of Switzerand
and Germany.
9. Valefiana Oficinalis. Vild Falerian This
also hourishes best in marshes and shadowy situa-
tons tho like the last, it sometimes grows on dry
heaths and elevated pastures.
10 Gentana Lutea. Gentian. A species Is
found on the lawns Of Pennsylvania and might
probably be cultivated here. The root of this and
the valerisn, is the part used in medicine.
II. Menyanthes Trifoiata. Marsh Trsfoil.
The name of this beautiful plant indicates The SIT
uation in which il should oe cultivated The
leaves are an excelant tonic.
10. Anthems Nobilis. CdmOmile THIS plant,
whose flowers possess so many medicinal qualities,
requires warm SOIL
IS. Eupatorum Perfoatum. Thorough Wort,
This is found in abundance by the sides OF running
streams, and may be cultivated IN wet soil. tts
leaves asd flowers are valuable medicine.
IL. Phytolacca Decanara -Anaerican Night
sla3e. The green berries and leaves, and the old
roots are a good emetic and, when externally APP
piled, a stimuant.-The young shoots and ripe
fruit are inert.
Is. Cassia Mariland;ca. -4aaerican Sienna. The
plant is easily raised from the seeds and, tie
leaves are a good substitute for the SIENNA we
procure at so great an expense from Egypt, u
ought TO be more generally cultivated
i6. Rheum Palmatum. Palmatec Hhen6dr6s
This is not injured by our cold, and may be reared
on high sandy places With ease
IL. Chenopodum Anthelmeutieum. Jerusalem
OAK. This deserves TO be more generally lntrodu-
ced into gardens The whole plant is used.
f3. Glycyrrhza Glabra. Liqaorice This plant
Is found 10 Vermont aud Ohio, and may probably
be cultivated here
49, Uimus Americana american or Slippery
Ehn A decoction Of the inner bark of this tree
is found exceedingly salutary in catarrhs pleurisies
&c. and its effects ia Dysentary are almost miracu-
ious Indeed this tree is Of 50 general utility that
1t has obtained the name OF cuRE ALL among the
women who know its medical virtues. Lit ought
10 be cultivated 10 parts where it does pc; already
grow wild.
Nor are these all which will withstand the rig
ors OF our cliusate: many others no less important
in medicine, might be added 10 the list. IL is SIM
cereIy and ardently hoped that you, Gentlemen,
who are acquainted with the value of these artl-
cies will be convinced that they may be cultivated
on your own tenements with ease pleasure and
economy; and by prosecuting The design with
goal Yaual asa raH.aet m which former