OUR NATIVE MATERIA MEDICAl. 
AN ESSAY 
TO WHICH WAS AWARDED 
THE PRIZE OF THE BOYrLSTON MEDICAL SOCIETY 
IN 1864. 
BY FRANCIS MINOT WELD. 
BOSTON: 
DAVID CLAPP, PRINTER334 WASHINGTON STREET. 
1864. OUR NATIVE MATERIA MEDICA, 
AN ESSAY TO WHICH ONE OF THE PRIZES OF THE BOYLSTON MEDICAL 
SOCIETY WAS AWARDED IN 1864. 
By FRANCIS MINOT WELD. 
[From the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal for May 12,1864.] 
Shortly after the close of our last war with England, Dr. Jacob 
Bigelow issued a series of volumes on the Native Medicinal Plants 
of the United States: a work written with so great care and tho- 
roughness, and illustrated with such accuracy and beauty, as to be 
still our classic manual in this branch of medical literature. In the 
preface to this work, the author alludes to the effect of the blockade 
of our ports by the British, in cutting off supplies of drugs. He 
therefore strongly urges an examination of all our native plants, so 
as to render ourselves, as far as possible, independent of foreign 
productions. 
During the last two years, a much more stringent blockade than 
the one just alluded to has been enforced on the ports of a large 
section of our country; bringing about such an inconvenient scarcity 
of certain drugs as to cause more strenuous efforts to be made to se- 
cure these precious articles, than to obtain even the most necessary 
materials of war. 
Let us suppose New England, instead of the Southern States, to 
be at war with the rest of the Union, and hemmed in and blockaded 
by land and sea. What substitutes could her rocks and sands, chill- 
ed by frost and snow, furnish for the rich drugs of the tropics, ripen- 
ed under an equatorial sun ? 
Let us examine the condition of our Materia Medica: see which 
of the drugs in common use are of domestic production, and how 
many others might be introduced into cultivation, or otherwise sup- 
plied ; learn precisely the number and value of those which cannot 
possibly be furnished from our own resources; and, lastly, find whe- 
ther among native products hitherto neglected, we may not discover 
substitutes, partial or complete, for some of the foreign drugs. 
The general plan pursued in the present paper is this. Taking 
the classification and list of medicinal agents adopted in Stille's 
work on Materia Medica, the latest available authority, the principal 
1 2 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
sources of our present supply will be stated in connection with each 
drug separately. The words native and naturalized are used with 
reference to the New England States. Where Stille has omitted to 
speak of drugs mentioned with approval by other writers of autho- 
rity, particularly Dr. Bigelow, they will be annexed to the list. 
Next, taking each class of drugs separately, our resources and more 
important deficiencies in that class will be very briefly discussed, 
with whatever remarks the subject may suggest. Finally will come 
a concise summary of the results arrived at. 
The principal authorities consulted are-The United States Dis- 
pensatory (1858), Stille's and Wood's works on Materia Medica, 
Dr. Bigelow's Medical Botany, various State Geological Reports. 
Class I.-Lenitives. 
Mucilaginous. 
Acacia, Africa. 
Althaea, Naturalized from Europe. 
Cetraria, Europe-also native. 
Chondrus, " " " 
Linum, Native. 
Salep, Levant. * 
Sassafras medulla, Native-good subs, for acacia. 
Sesamum, India. 
Tragacantha, Asia Minor. 
Ulmus, Native. 
Amylum, " 
Ginseng, " -much like glycyrrhiza. 
Amylaceous. 
Avenae farina, Native. 
Hordeum, " [Arum triphyHum. 
Maranta, W. Indies-might be made from 
Oryza, Southern States. 
Sago, East Indies. 
Tapioca, West Indies. » 
Fatty and Oleaginous. 
Adeps, Native. 
Amygdala, Barbary. 
Cetaceum, Marine. 
Glycerina, Home manufacture. 
01. Olivae, 01. Amygd., 01. Cacao, Imported. 
Sevum, Native. 
Gelatinous. 
Gelatina, Native. 
Icthyocolla, Imported-also made here.' 
Collodium, Cotton from South. Our Native Materia Medica. 
3 
Saccharine. 
Glycyrrhiza, Europe. 
Mel, Native. 
Saccharum, " from maple. 
Class IL-Astringents. 
Mineral. 
Alumen, Imported-can be made here. 
Bismuthi subnit., Bismuth is found at Monroe, Ct. 
Plumbum, < Lead ores in N. H., and Hamp- 
< den Co., Mass. 
Zinci acetas, C Germany. A carbonate of iron 
" carb, praecipit. ) "d zln0Jex!s'sr la Naw Hamp- 
( shire and at Worcester, Mass. 
Vegetable. ' 1 
Acid, tannicum, Obtainable from native products. 
" gallicum, Tannic acid. 
Catechu, India. 
Qalla < Mediterranean-there are na- 
( tive specimens, probably useful. 
Geranium, Native. 
Hacmatoxylon, Central America. 
Kino, . Africa. 
Krameria, Peru. 
Quercus alba and tinctoria, Native. 
Rosa Gallica, Cultivated. 
Rubus villosus-R. trivialis, Native. 
Class III.-Irritants. 
Mineral. 
Acidum acet., Acetum, Native. 
« nitrienm 5 FrOm nit °f Potash or of 
( soda, both usually imported. 
Chlorinium and aq. chlor., From native sources. 
Calx chlor, and ac. mur, $ Ro.p. ire acid ** «>eir 
( manufacture. 
r Usually made from combustion 
Ac. sulphuricum-its compounds J of sulphur; may be made in 
and preparations, | abundance from native sulphate 
L of iron. 
Liq. ammonias From native products. 
Potassa and preparations, " " " 
Sodm Carbonas, f Mad? aid of 
£ sulphuric acid. 
" boras, Europe, India, &c. 
Calx, &c., Native. 
Argenti nitras, " ores. 
Cupri sulphas, " " 4 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
Zinci chloridum, Native ores. 
Antimonii terchlor., Antimony in Maine and N. H. 
Vegetable Irritants. 
Sinapis, Cultivated. 
Capsicum, « 
Pix abietis, Native. 
Mezereon, Somewhat cultivated. 
Pyrethrum, Cultivated. 
Sabina, Native. [vated here. 
01. monard. punch, Middle States. Could be culti- 
Clematis Virginica, Native. 
Arum triphyllum, " 
Ranunculus bulbosus, ' " 
Animal Irritants. 
Cantharis vesicatoria, Vicinity of Mediterranean. 
" vittata, Southern States. 
" atrata-marginata, Native. 
Class IV.-Tonics. 
Specifics. 
Ferrum, Native. 
Cinchona, South America. 
Salix, Native. 
Cornus Florida, " 
Prunus Virginiana, " 
Simple Hitter Tonics. 
Colomba, Africa. 
Gentiana, Europe. 
Quassia, West Indies. 
Simaruba, 11 11 
Sabbattia, Middle and Southern States. 
Centaurium, Europe. 
Chiretta, India. 
Coptis, Native. 
Xanthorrhiza, Southern and Western States. 
Menyanthes trif.-Aletris fari- ) « ,.t 
nosa, Polygama polyg. 5 a n e' 
Stimulant Tonics. 
Anthemis-Eupatorium, Cultivated. 
Angustura-Cascarilla, West Indies. 
Marrubium, Naturalized from Europe. 
Contrayerva, Central America. 
Calamus-Angelica, Native. 
Aurantii Cortex, , West Indies and Mediterranean. 
Wintera, South America. 
Millefolium, Cultivated by Shakers and others. Our Native Materia Medica. 
5 
Tonic and Aromatic Stimulants. 
Anisum, Carum, FomiculumA 
Lavandula, Melissa, Mentha 
piperita and viridis, Origa- > Are common garden herbs, 
num, Ros marinus, Ruta, Sal- 
via and Thymus, 
Asarum, Gaultheria, Hedeoma, ) Native 
Sambucus, ) 
01. cajuputi, Moluccas. 
Cinnamomum, Ceylon. 
Cassia-Piper, Java. 
Canella-Pimenta, West Indies. 
Caryophyllus-Myristica, Moluccas. 
Cardamomum, India. 
Coriander, Europe. 
Cyminum, Egypt. 
Monarda, Vide 01. monardae. 
Zinziber, W. Indies, Africa, S. America. 
Class V.-General Stimulants. 
Heat and Electricity. 
Vinum, Native-from grape, currant, Ac. 
Alcohol, Native. 
01. terebinth.-Creasotum, " 
Ammoniae carb., " 
Arnica, Northern Europe. 
Toxicodendron, Native. 
Class VI. - Cerebro-spinal Stimulants. 
Narcotics. 
Opium, Asia-may be produced here. 
Lactucarium, Cultivated. 
Hyoscyamus, Naturalized. 
Belladonna, Native. 
Stramonium, 11 
Humulus, r Cultivated. 
Cannabis Indica, India. 
" sativa, Native. 
Antispasmodics. , 
Assafoetida, Persia, &c. 
Dracontium-Valeriana, Native-cultivated. [yard. 
Succinum, Found at Nantucket and M. Vine- 
Castor eum, Russia and Canada. 
Moschus, Russia and China. 
Camphora, China. 
JEther sulphuricus, 
yEther chloric fort., Native.- 
JEther nitricus, " 6 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
Chloroform, Native. 
Cuprum ammoniatum, " 
Zinci oxid. and Valerianas, " 
Class VII.-Spin ants. (Tetanica.) 
Spinants in General. 
Nux vomica-Strychnia, Ceylon, &c. 
Faba St. Ignatii, Philippines. 
Toxicodendron, - Vide Gen. Stimulants. Native. 
Ergota, " Emmenagogues. " 
Sodae boras, " Irritants. Europe. 
Class VIII.-General Sedatives. 
Cold. 
Acidum hydrocyanicum dil., Native. 
Potassii cyanidum, " 
Class IX.-Arterial Sedatives. 
Digitalis, Europe. Cultivated here. 
Veratrum viride, Native. 
Class X.-Nervous Sedatives. 
Aconitum, Cultivated here for ornament. 
Conium, Native or naturalized. 
Cicuta, Native. 
Cerii oxalas, Sweden. 
Cocculus, Malabar. 
Lobelia, Native. 
Tabacum, Cultivated in Conn, and Mass. 
Veratrum album, Europe. Little used, [veratria, 
sabadilla, Mexico. Used in manufacture of 
Class XI.-Evacuants. 
Errhines. 
Asarum Europaeum, Europe. 
Helenium autumnale, Native. 
Emetics. 
Zinci sulphas, From native zinc. [ties. 
Antimonii et potassm tartras,. Antimony, native in small quanti- 
Ipecacuanha, South America. 
Alumen, Vide Astringents. Native. 
Cupri sulph.-Sinapis, " Irritants. " 
Scilla, " Expectorants. Europe. 
Tabacum-Lobelia, « Nerv. Sedatives. Native. 
Gillenia, Native. 
Hydrargyri sulphas flavus, Vide Alteratives. California. 
Phytolacca decandra, Sanguina- h 
ria, Iris versicolor, Apocy- I . ,, 
num, Dirca palustris, Ery- [ re a na^n e* 
thronium Amcricanum, J Our Native Materia Medica. 
7 
Cathartics, 
Sulphur lotum, From volcanic regions. 
Magnesia-M. carb, and sulph., From native sources. 
Sodas sulphas, In various manufactures. 
Potassae tartras and bitartras, France. 
Sodae et potassae tartras, From pot. bitart. and sod. carb. 
Oleum olivae-Manna, Southern Europe. 
Cassia fistula-Tamarindus, India. Cassia also in W. Indies, 
m • • • ( Cultivated in Ohio, and occa- 
Oleum ncini, < . n . XT t? i j 
£ sionally in New England. 
Senna, Egypt. 
Cassia Marilandica, Native. About equal to senna. 
Rheum, Turkey, Ac. Native quality poor. 
Juglans, Native. Good subs, for rheum. 
Colocynthis, Asia Minor. 
Jalapa, Mexico. 
Scammonium, Syria. 
Gambogia, Ceylon, Ac. 
Aloes, Cape of Good Hope, India, Ac. 
Oleum tiglii, India. 
Helleborus, Europe. 
Podophyllum, Native. Like jalap. 
Triosteum, " Not abundant. 
Oleum terebinthinas, Vide Stimulants. Native. 
Elaterium, Produced in Eng.; can be here. 
Expectorants. 
Senega, Native in West. N. Eng. (Gray.) 
Cimicifuga, Native. Of doubtful value. 
Allium, Cultivated. 
Ammoniacum, Persia. 
Myrrha, Africa. 
Balsam Peruv.-Tolut., Central and South America. 
Benzoinum, Sumatra. 
Pix liquida, Native. [W. Indies. 
Copaiba, Vide Diuretics. S. America and 
Scilla, Europe. 
Terebinthinas-Ammonias carb., Vide Gen. Stim. Native. 
Ammonias murias, " Alteratives. " 
Ipecacuanha, " Emetics. South America. 
Sulphur, " Cathartics. Italy, Ac. 
Assafoetida, " Antispasmodics. Persia. 
. , . . . C Native. Highly recommended 
Asclepias tuberosa, J by Dra Bi|elJow & Chapman- 
Diaphoretics. 
Liquor ammonias acetatis, Native. 
Potassae citras-Citric acid, From the Mediterranean, Ac. 8 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
Spiritus astheris nitrosus, Native. 
Pulv. ipecac, et opii, Vide Ipecac, and Opium. 
Guaiacum, West Indies. 
Sassafras-Solidago, Native. 
Serpentaria, Middle and Western States. 
Xanthoxylum Americanum, 1 Nat!v?- Much like Mezereum 
( and Guaiacum. 
Ammonias carbonas, Vide Gen. Stim. Native. 
Potass as nitras, « Diuretics. " 
Antimonii et potassae tart., " Emetics. So. America. 
Sarsaparilla, 11 Alteratives. Europe, <fcc. 
Mezereum, « Irritants. Cult, a little. 
Diuretics. 
Potassae nitras, Native. 
" acetas, x " 
Ammonias phosphas, " 
Armoracia-Carota-Uva ursi, 11 
Scoporius-Petroselinum, Cultivated. 
Taraxacum-Juniperus, Naturalized. 
Propylamin, Native. 
Scilla, Vicinity of Mediterranean. 
Buchu, Cape of Good Hope. 
Copaiba, West Indies and So. America. 
Cubeba, Java, &c. [here. 
Colchicum, Europe. Somewhat cultivated 
Potassae bitartras, 5 Cathartics. Ac. tart, im- 
l ported. 
Soda? boras Vide Irritants. Italy, &c. 
Spiritus astheris nitrosi-Li- ) ,, ta- i . 
quor ammonias acetatis, } - Diaphoretics. Native. 
Dulcamara, « Narcotics. Native. 
01. terebinthinae, « Stimulants. " 
Dmmenagogues. 
Ergota,. Native. 
Rubia tinctorum, Southern Europe. 
Sabina-Cantharis, Vide Irritants. Native. 
Juniperus, « Diuretics. " 
Sodas boras, " Irritants. Europe. 
Ferrum, « Specific Tonics. Native. 
Millefolium-Ruta, , « Stimulants. Cultivated. 
Tanacetum, « Anthelmintics. Native. 
Guaiacum, " Diaphoretics. W. Indies. 
Aloes, « Cathartics. So. Africa. 
Helleborus niger, « « Europe. 
Anthelmintics. 
Mucuna, East and West Indies. 
Stanni pulvis-Tanacetum, Native. Our Native Materia Medica. 
9 
Filix mas, Native probably. 
Chenopodium-Spigelia, Southern States. 
Santonici semen, Persia*. [what cultivated. 
Granatum, So. Europe and Africa. Some- 
Absinthium, Naturalized. 
Azedarach, Asia. Southern States. 
Bayera (kousso), Abyssinia. 
Cucurbita pepo, Cultivated everywhere. 
Kameela, India. 
Saoria, Abyssinia. 
Zatze, Africa. 
Oleum terebinthinae, Vide Gen. Stimulants. Native. 
Class XII.-Alteratives. 
Hydrargyrum, California, &c. 
Arsenicum, Native. 
lodinum, x Sea-weeds and Saratoga Springs. 
Oleum Morrhuae, Along the coast of New England. 
. (By passing chlorine through a 
Potassic chloras, ■> of potassic Carbonas. 
Ammoniae murias, Native. 
Sarsaparilla, From Mexico and So. America. 
Chlorinium, Vide Irritants. Native. 
Colchicum, " Diuretics. " 
Dulcamara, " Sedatives. " 
Guaiacuni, " Diaphoretics. W. Indies. 
Mezereum, " Irritants. Cultivated. 
The class of Lenitives is abundantly represented in our native ma- 
teria medica. Whether we desire diluents, emollients, or demulcents, 
we have a large variety to select from. Perhaps a good substitute 
for gums Arabic and tragacanth might be found in the so-called Bri- 
tish gum, or roasted starch. Collodion, too, would be missed by 
many, but other vegetable fibres, as fibrilia, might prove equal to 
cotton for its manufacture. It would seem, at first thought, that 
olive oil had become almost a necessity; but we may become better 
satisfied with our own productions, on learning- that a large propor- 
tion of what we import, under the name of Florence oil, Bordeaux 
oil, &c., has been previously exported from Boston or New York 
under the more humble designation of lard oil. It is probable that, 
under the pressure of necessity, we could perform the processes of 
clarification nearly as well as the French. 
In the list of Astringents we find but few which we are not in the 
habit of importing, for commercial reasons. Of the mineral astrin- 
gents, in particular, we have hitherto drawn but a small portion of 
our supply from native sources. Yet, if commerce were impeded, 
we see that an adequate supply of every one of them is to be found 
in New England. The leading vegetable astringent, tannic acid, we 
2 10 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
usually manufacture from imported nutgalls. It can probably be 
made, however, at a somewhat increased expense, from oak bark or 
native galls. Catechu, kino and krameria differ from any indige- 
nous astringent, in containing a form of tannic acid, which is not 
convertible into gallic acid. Whether this is an important or advan- 
tageous difference, is yet to be learned. The majority of the impor- 
tant mineral astringents require for their manufacture sulphuric acid, 
which, in this country, is usually made from sulphur by a process of 
combustion. Free sulphur is of rare occurrence in New England. 
A single locality, at Hinsdale, Mass., is the only spot Prof. Hitch- 
cock can refer to where it is found, even in small quantities. The 
original process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, which is said 
to be still carried on in some parts of Germany, was by the dry dis- 
tillation of sulphate of iron, whence its popular name, oil of vitriol. 
Fortunately, sulphate of iron, and the sulphide, from which the salt 
can be made, occur abundantly in New England. A large deposit of 
both exists near Worcester, Mass. 
The Mineral Irritants we could supply, with hardly an important 
exception. All the Vegetable Irritants in common use are also either 
native or easily cultivated. Dr. Harris states that in certain locali- 
ties of Massachusetts several species of the cantharis abound, whose 
vesicating powers arc hardly inferior to the Spanish fly. If special 
attention were paid to their food, habits, &c., we could, no doubt, 
soon obtain an ample supply. 
Of the Specific Tonics all are native, with the single, but im- 
portant exception of cinchona. This it is quite hopeless to attempt 
to cultivate, and its active principles we cannot, as yet, expect to 
'imitate. In forming our idea of the real value of this drug in New 
England practice, it must not be forgotten that this region is almost 
entirely free from diseases of malarial origin. The specific proper- 
ties of quinia are therefore very rarely called for here, except in 
cases of disease contracted further South or West, or in foreign 
countries. For such cases we have good substitutes for quinia in 
the alkaloids of cornus Florida and salix. We administer quinia, 
in the vast majority of cases, however, simply as a tonic; and in this 
use, as in the other, its value is very great. But, since we possess 
many native tonics, such as prunus virginiana, of decided efficacy, 
it seems just to rank quinia as a convenient rather than an essential 
constituent of our New England Pharmacopoeia. 
Of the Simple Bitter Tonics in common use not one is native. 
Quassia, gentian and Colombo are at present cheaper and perhaps 
more convenient than coptis and the other native bitters mentioned 
by Dr. Bigelow. It is improbable, however, that, therapeutically, 
the imported drugs are at all superior. Of the Stimulant Tonics 
our native supply is bountiful.. 
A prominent position in the class of Tonic and Aromatic Stimu- 
lants is held by the group of spices, which are nearly all imported Our Native Materia Medica. 
11 
from the tropics. Capsicum we cultivate, and for ginger we can use 
asarum, our wild ginger. The other spices may fairly be considered 
pharmaceutical luxuries. The majority of the rest of the class are 
only too abundant; supplying, as they do, the materials for the here 
teas with which our rural population are so much inclined to drench 
themselves, on the slightest provocation. 
We possess all of the articles on the list of General Stimulants, 
except arnica. This is used mostly as a vulnerary, a little, if at all, 
as an internal remedy. Though convenient and useful, we can dis- 
pense with it without serious disadvantage. 
We already furnish our own supplies of the greater number of 
the drugs classed by Stille as Narcotics. It unfortunately happens 
that one of the two exceptions, opium, is really indispensable; the 
other, cannabis Indica, we can do without; for, though undoubtedly 
possessing valuable therapeutical powers, it is, as yet, comparatively 
little known and used in the profession. The plant producing the 
officinal extract grows readily in many countries, and differs little, 
botanically, from cannabis sativa, the source of our hemp. The pe- 
culiar resinous substance, in which reside the properties of the drug, 
is not found in the plant, when growing outside of certain limited 
regions in Asia. So we' may dismiss the hope of adding this to the 
list of our native productions. But opium we can produce, without 
doubt. Our supplies of the leaves, flowers and capsules of the 
poppy are of home growth and good quality. It is well known that 
several attempts to cultivate the plant for opium have succeeded very 
well in England-one of the experiments proving quite lucrative. 
There is no apparent reason why the same success should not be at- 
tained in our Southern New England States. Certainly the present 
would seem to be a favorable time for making the experiment, while 
opium commands so high a price. 
From the group of Antispasmodics would be takcp assafoetida 
and camphor, which are extensively used, particularism domestic 
practice. There seem to be no native drugs at all adapted to fill their 
places, though quite a long list would still remain to us. 
In the next class, that of Spinants, our native supplies are very 
deficient. In fact, ergot and toxicodendron seem to be our only re- 
sources in this department of therapeutics. 
Of the important family of Sedatives, general, arterial and ner- 
vous, there is hardly a single member which we need to seek beyond 
the boundaries of New England. The few exceptions appear abso- 
lutely insignificant in comparison with those we possess. 
Of Errhines our supply is abundant, though the variety is not 
great. Besides those mentioned in the list, sanguinaria, a widely- 
diffused native plant, is much used. 
Ipecac is the only really important Emetic, with which we cannot 
supply ourselves, at least, to a considerable extent. At the same time 
it is so extensively used, that a substitute should be found, if possible. 12 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
This we have in our native poke, phytolacca decandra, of which Dr. 
Bigelow writes as follows:-" In its medicinal properties the root 
approaches nearer to ipecacuanha, than any other American vegeta- 
ble I have hitherto examined. From abundant experience, the result 
of many trials made in dispensary practice, I am satisfied that, when 
properly prepared, it operates in the same doses, and with the same 
certainty, as the South- American emetic." Dr. George Hayward 
also reported quite favorably of the drug, after considerable experi- 
ence. Prof. Clarke, however, regards phytolacca as uncertain in its 
action, and prefers gillenia, which also resembles ipecac closely. 
With the two we should be well supplied. The other native vege- 
table emetics are of decidedly less value. Tartar emetic is noted 
in the list as being of native origin. This statement needs conside- 
rable qualification, for ores of antimony have, as yet, been found in 
small quantities in New England, the principal deposits being at 
Carmel, Me., and Cornish, N. H. Even granting that these sources 
are sufficient for at least a temporary supply of the metallic base, we 
meet with another difficulty in the fact that tartaric acid is not yet 
produced in New England, owing to the sweet character of our na- 
tive wines. The Catawba wines of Ohio arc much more tart, and 
give quite a copious deposit of the crude bi-tartrate of potassa. 
Perhaps if the same grapes were sufficiently cultivated here, the 
character of our native wines might alter. Under existing circum- 
stances we should have tQ use the antimonial in some other form, for 
instance, the teroxide. 
The use of Cathartic medicines is so extensive in this part of the 
country, that the words purge and physic have become popularly 
synonymous. Perhaps the diminution of the supply of the more 
active drugs of this class, such as a blockade of our ports would 
cause, mightreally prove a benefit. Senna, rhubarb, colocynth, jalap, 
scammony,1g|mboge, aloes and Croton oil would all be cut off. But 
not a few would be left, which are already well known; while for 
senna we should have cassia marylandica; for rhubarb, juglans, 
called by Prof. Clarke the American rhubarb; and for jalap, podo- 
phyllin. 
Owing probably to the prevalence of pulmonary complaints in 
this cliinate, the list of Expectorants has been swelled to a needless, 
and perhaps troublesome length. A judicious curtailment of the 
Materia Medica might be of advantage in this, as in many other 
classes of remedies. Unfortunately the pruning proposed in this 
essay, cuts away some of the most important branches. Copaiba, 
the balsams, and squill, would be selected as the first to be retained 
in an abridged Pharmacopoeia, and yet they are all of foreign pro- 
duction. It will be seen under 11 Diuretics," that a possibility ex- 
ists of introducing the culture of squill. At the worst, we have 
senega, and one other agent of decided value, though less used by 
the profession, viz., asclepias tuberosa, of whose efficacy Dr. Bigelow 
speaks in the highest terms. Our Native Materia Medica. 
13 
Of native Diaphoretics our supply is almost endless. A number 
of the herbs classed as aromatics are largely and successfully used 
in domestic practice to produce diaphoresis. With the profession, 
the most frequent prescription for this purpose is probably Dover's 
powder. For the ipecac in this compound, phytolacca has been 
occasionally substituted with good success. Gillenia might also be 
used. 
Although almost all of the class of Diuretics are, or may be, ob- 
tained from native sources, yet a few very important ones come from 
abroad. Squill is considered by many as the most useful diuretic 
and expectorant. On account of this double application, it would 
be very desirable to introduce its culture, should there be any pros- 
pect of our being cut ofl' from foreign supplies. We raise conside- 
rable quantities of garlic, a native of the same countries as squill, 
and closely related to it botanically. A priori, therefore, ve might 
expect some degree of success in the cultivation of the latter. Cer- 
tainly it seems desirable that the trial should be made, as it would 
call for but a small expenditure of time, labor or money. 
The necessary deprivation of copaiba and cubebs would be se- 
verely felt, both by physicians and patients, so extensive is their 
employment in gonorrhoea. We probably possess a drug of similar 
powers, viz., gelseminum. This has been much used in gonorrhoea 
in some parts of the country, and with remarkable success, judging 
from published reports of cases. It is a native of the Southern 
States, and probably would not thrive in our colder climate. There 
seems to be some doubt as to the success met with in the cultivation 
of colchicum in this climate. Stille and Wood both state that small 
supplies of native production reach the market, but neither speaks in 
positive terms of the efficacy of the samples, as compared with that 
obtained from Europe. 
Ergot, savin and tansy are probably the most important of the 
drugs, which have a special direct effect upon the uterus, and they 
are all native. 
The list of Anthelmintics would be considerably reduced, but an 
ample supply would remain, including ol. terebinthinse and cucurbita 
pepo. 
All of the Alteratives, with one important exception, mercury, can 
be abundantly produced within our own borders. A blockade would 
materially interfere with our fisheries, but the fishing carried on di- 
rectly off our coasts would furnish us with enough cod-liver oil to 
meet our requirements. In place of the fish oils, that from linseed 
has been largely experimented with at the West. At one time it 
was believed by some that the vegetable oil was as efficacious as the 
animal. I am unable to learn of any similar extensive trials in this 
vicinity. Fusel oil, or amylic alcohol, also, which we can produce 
in any quantity, is regarded in some quarters as equal, if not supe- 
rior, to fish oil. 14 
Boylston Medical Society Prize Essay. 
In this vicinity it is now seldom that we see single doses of mer- 
curials prescribed-a course of mercury almost never, except in 
syphilis. Perhaps in time, it may be deprived of even its present 
claims as a specific in that disease, by the persevering attacks of 
Bennett of Edinburgh, and others. We have already seen its use 
here almost abandoned in iritis, as the result of Dr. Williams's re- 
searches. This is not the place, however, to discuss the therapeutic 
value of mercury. The simple fact remains that not a particle of it 
has thus far been found in New England. 
Of all these classes, we find only one (Spinants) in which we are 
absolutely deficient; in scarcely another are we really poor. 
But let us look at the subject from another stand-point. Dr. Jas. 
Jackson, in " Another Letter to Young Physicians," has given us 
the precious results of his extensive and careful research into the 
practical value of drugs. He specifies those on which he thinks he 
has most reason to rely. He gives first a list of six; viz., antimony, 
mercury, opium, cinchona, arsenic and iron. Of these, we have two 
in abundance: one in small quantities; one could be cultivated to 
the necessary extent; and the remaining two are and must continue 
to be imported. A supplementary list of twenty is then given, of 
which only four or five are necessarily supplied from abroad. Even 
of these, some might be replaced by native substitutes of almost 
identical properties. A more modern observer, Trousseau, omits 
antimony and arsenic from Dr. Jackson's list of six, and adds bella- 
donna. Of the five thus selected, we could supply ourselves with 
three. 
Theoretically, then, New England may be said to possess a Mate- 
ria Medica sufficiently copious both in quantity and variety. There 
is little doubt that, with ten, or even five years of preparation,The 
treatment of disease might be, to the full, as efficient and successful 
as now, and yet not a drug should be brought from beyond the 
boundaries of the six New England States. One reservation must 
here be made with regard to mercury, whose specific properties in 
syphilis may be great, though stoutly denied by some; and from its 
loss might result more fearful ravages of that foul disease, than we 
arc accustomed to see. 
Moreover, in our patriotic pride in the resources of this part of 
our country, we must not forget that a sudden war with powerful 
neighbors would find us fearfully unprepared in very important par- 
ticulars. Let it be our welcome duty, as medical men, to render our 
country and our state, as far as may be, independent even of the 
drugs of foreign nations.