The genesis of the American materia medica : including a biographical sketch of "John Josselyn, gent," and the medical and materia medica references in Josselyn's "New-Englands rarities discovered," etc., and in his "Two voyages to New-England," / with critical notes and comments by Harvey Wickes Felter.

  • Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1865-1927.
Date:
[1927]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The genesis of the American materia medica : including a biographical sketch of "John Josselyn, gent," and the medical and materia medica references in Josselyn's "New-Englands rarities discovered," etc., and in his "Two voyages to New-England," / with critical notes and comments by Harvey Wickes Felter. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Soile (Sea Calf) [p. 35].—“For Scalds and Burns, and for the Mother.” “The Oyl of it is much used by the Indians, who eat of it with their Fish, and anoint their limbs therewith, and their Wounds and Sores: It is very good for Scalds and Burns; and the fume of it, being cast upon Coals, will bring Women out of the Mother-Fits.” 7a The Sperma-Ceti Whale [p. 35].—“For Bruises and Aches.” [“Cut into small pieces and boiled in Cauldrons, yielded plenty of Oyl; the Oyl put into Hogsheads, and stow’d into Cellars for some time, candies at the bottom, it may be one quarter; then the Oyl is drawn off, and the Candied Stuff put up into convenient Vessels is sold for Sperma-Ceti, and is right Sperma-Ceti.”] “The Oyl that was drawn off Candies again and again, if well ordered; and is admirable for Bruises and Aches.” FOURTHLY, OF SERPENTS, AND INSECTS. The Pond-Frog [p. 38].—“For Burns, Scalds, and Inflammations.” “They are of a glistering brass colour, and very fat, which is excellent for Burns and Scaldings, to take out the Fire, and heal them, leaving no Scar; and is also very good to take away any Inflammation.” The Rattlesnake 75 [p. 39].—“For frozen Limbs, Aches, and Bruises.” “They have Leafs of Fat in their Bellies, which is excellent to annoint frozen Limbs, and for Aches and Bruises wondrous soveraign. Their Hearts, swallowed fresh, is a good Antidote against their Venome, and their Liver (the Gall taken out) bruised and applied to their Bitings is a present Remedy.” FIFTHLY, OF PLANTS. Blew Flower-de-luce 8 [p.41].—“To provoke Vomit, and for Bruises.” “It is excellent for to provoke Vomiting, and for Bruises on the Feet or Face.” Dog-stones9 [p. 42] (a kind of Satyrion).—“To procure Love.” “I once took notice of a wanton Womans compounding the solid Roots of this Plant with Wine, for an Amorous Cup; which wrought the desired effect.” Adders Tongues 10 [p. 42].—“I .... did then make Oyntment of the Herb new gathered.” 7a Pronounced Mot'her-fits (Saxon) ; hysterical paroxysms. (Felter.) ft* “Who Poysons with a Vapour that comes through two crooked Fangs in their mouth” (Josselyn). (Felter.) 8 Iris, one of the blue-flowered species, probably Iris versicolor L., the Larger Blue Flag. Josselyn says: “They Flower in June, and grow upon dry sandy Hills as well as in low wet Grounds.” (Felter.) 9 Orchis L. (?). Probably a species of Platanthera Rich. [Gray’s Manual] (Tuck- erman), now classed as species of Habenaria. (Felter.) 10 Ophioglossum vulgatum L. (Felter.)