The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-14

IN. A~.v. Am.ric.n.--A new Remedy yeurvy.
We are indebted TO the Surgeon General of the Army
for the following extracts from Official report made
him nv Assistant Surgeon Glover Perrin United States
Army. relative to the above-named remedy for scurvy
which we chseruy publish. in the hope that il may be
the means OF saving much suffering from this old destroyer
Of armies and naves which has Of late severely Wis
tied many OF the overland emigrants to Oregon and Cali
forns AZ well as the officers and soldiers OF army
who have been stationed at posts in Texas and New
Mexico where from the sandy and arid nature of the SOIL
il was impossible to raise vegetables
The scurvy had made its appearance at Fort Mcintosh.
Texas and the supply OF scorbutics being limited
the medical officer induced TO inquire whether the
citizens Of the neghborng town OF Laredo, who, like
the troops in garrison destitute OF vegetables had
suffered from this disease, and if so what domestic
.diss they used In prosecuting these inquiries, he
induced to believe that the Maguey, Agavs americans,
was the most ecacious Of these domestic remedies, and
trial OF it's effects was accordingly determined upon.
The Improvement in the condition Of the patients who
were treated with the Maguey those who continued
the use Of lime Juice and other anti scorbucs clear
" percsptble in few days. and. after fair trial. the
medical otHcer reports as follows:
"At this time 30 convinced was Of the great superb
GRITTY OF the Maguey either OF the other remedies
smnIoyed that determined to place all the patients
mon that medicine The result has proved exceeding
~ 1rafying-every case has improved rapidly. The
counenance 90 universally detected and despairng in
he patients affected with the scurvy is frightened up
by conenment and hope in two days from the time OF
m introduction the most marked evidences oil improve
uent were observable at every successive visit"
"From observing the effects OF the Maxuey IN the
cases which have occurred in this command, am CON-
n.Iied 10 place far above that remedy which till now
IN, stood above every other-the me-juice. This,
doubt win appear strong languages but further expe-
renee will verify it. The juice OF the Maguey contains
large amount of vegetable and saccharine matter, and
Of itself is sufficiently nutritious to sustain patient for
days"
Of Texas and If am correctly informed. IN New Mex
leo aud California In Mexico it is well known as the
plsnt from~whch they manufacture the "PulQue, and
rrows in great abundance. As delights in dry sandy
soiI il can be cultivated where nothing but cacti will
row Tor this reason it will be found invaluable to the
army at many Of the western posts where vegetables can
not be procured" H.
,shes until thoroughly cooked, when they removed
and Inc Juice expressed from them. The expressed
uce Il then strained and may be used thus or may be
sweetened The dose from two TO eight ounces three
times daily 1t disageeable TO take, and IN every
instance has proved 10 agree well with the stomach
and bowels After the leaves have been cooked, the
corcs portion near the root may be removed and the
white internal portion eaten. 1t appears to be whole
.me and nutritious food and have been informed upon
rood authority that several tribes OF Indians IN New
Mexico make OF it in the same manner The use OF
The leaf in this way believe, will ward OH most ehecu
ally ncpient scurvy"