therefore may be tried; among which, ligatures of horse hair or silk, are strongly recommended, as being the most effectual method of destroying the excrescence; but I have seen them cured in a short time, when the hands were almost covered with them, by being rubbed for some minutes every day with a piece of gold or silver.

Stithe or Stye.

THE stithe is a small inflamed tumour on the edge of the eyelid, more commonly on the side towards the nose; but there are sometimes two or more at a time. "It is occasioned by an obstruction in the glands of the eyelids, and the matter being enclosed in a hard cist or bag, the inflammation often returns in the same spot, till the cist being destroyed by repeated suppurations, the cavity is afterwards filled up, and the complaint disappears. All that is necessary to prevent the return of this temporary blemish, is, to imitate this process of nature. To this end the little abscess, as soon as it breaks, should be lightly touched with the

caustic, called nitrated silver, cut to a point, (cautiously avoiding doing injury to the eye) which, by destroying the cist, at once removes the complaint."

UNDERWOOD.

CHAPTER V.

SECTION I.

A brief description of such plants, and their respective medicinal qualities, as are mentioned in the preceding pages; with many others, peculiarly serviceable in the complaints of children.

"Life's lowest, but far greatest sphere I sing, "Of all things that adorn the gaudy spring; "Such as in deserts live, whom, unconfined, "None but the simple laws of Nature bind; "And those who, growing tame by human care, "The well-bred citizens of gardens are;

"Those that aspire to Sol their sire's bright face, "Or stoop into their mother Earth's embrace; "Such as drink streams, or wells, or those, dry fed, "Who have Jove only for their Ganymede; "And all that Solomon's lost work of old "(Ah! fatal loss!) so wisely did unfold. "Though I the oak's vivacious age should live, "I ne'er to all their names in verse could give."

COWLEY.

The beneficent creator has enriched our country with many simples, calculated to relieve the diseases incident to our climate, and if resorted to in season would often supersede the use of compounded drugs, especially in the disorders peculiar to childhood: therefore, every mother ought to have a general knowledge of them, so that she may prescribe for slight complaints with ease to herself, and infinite benefit to her little family.

To assist her in obtaining this knowledge, I have collected a brief history of the plants in most esteem, that, by having them all under her eye, she may readily choose those adapted to the present complaints of her children; and as I shall take my description of their virtues from the most approved medical books, where my own experimental knowledge fails, my readers may rely upon the directions given, that they are so far correct, as no danger can arise from follow. ing them implicitly.

Arum or Wake Robin.

Commonly known in this country by the names of dragon root, and wild turnip. It grows wild in all parts of New-England, and is in great repute for its medicinal virtues. In March or April, it sends forth two branches from one stalk, and between them arises a purple pistil, enclosed in a sheath beautifully striped with purple and white, which curls over the pistil as it grows towards maturity; till at length, this is succeeded, in July and August, by a bunch of red berries. All parts of the plant are very pungent; but when fresh, the root resembles the common turnip in appearance, and children have been frequently deluded by it, and induced to taste it, to their sorrow; for while fresh, it is almost intolerable, so very acrimonious is the juice; but after it is dry, it loses much of this quality, and in this form it is chiefly used in this country, in domestic practice, and is excellent in colds and colics, for the canker, and windy complaints in infants. The fresh root is