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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    Maple25 [p. 47].—“A way to draw out Oyl of Akrons, or the like, &c. ‘‘Maple; of the ashes of this Tree the Indians make a lye, with which they force out Oyl from Oak Akorns that is highly esteemed by the Indians.” “The making of Oyl of Akrons. To strengthen weak Members. For Scall'd Heads” [pp. 48-49]. “Out of the white Oak26 Acorns, (which is the Acorn Bears delight to feed upon) : The Natives draw an Oyl, taking the rottenest Maple Wood, which being burnt to ashes, they make a strong lye therewith, wherein they boyle their white Oak-Acorns until the Oyl swim on the top in great quantity; this they fleet off, and put into bladders to annoint their naked Limbs, which cor¬ roborates them exceedingly; they eat it likewise with their Meat, it is an excellent and clear sweet Oyl: Of the Moss that grows at the roots of the white Oak the Indesses make a strong decoction, with which they help their Papouses or young Childrens scall’d Heads.” Alder 27 [p. 49],—“For a Cut with a Bruse.” “Alder; an Indian Bruising and Cutting of his Knee with a fall, used no other remedy, than Alder Bark, chewed fasting, and laid to it, which did soon heal it.” “To Take Fire out of a Burn.” “The decoction is also excellent to take the Fire out of a Burn or Scalld.” “For Wounds and Cuts.” “For Wounds and Cuts make a strong decoction of Bark of Alder, pour of it into the Wound, and drink thereof.” Filberd28 [p. 50].—“For sore Mouths, falling of the Pallat.” “Filberd, both with hairy husks upon the Nuts, and setting hollow from the Nut, and fill’d with a kind of water of an astringent taste; it is very good for sore Mouths, and for falling of the Pallat, as is the whole green Nut before it comes to Kernel, burnt and pulverized.” Coals of Birch [p. 51].—“Coals of Birch pulverized and wrought with the white of an Egg to a Salve, is a gallant Remedy for dry scurvy Sores upon the Shins; and for Bruised Wounds and Cuts.” “Birch, white 29 and black;30 The bark of Birch is used by the Indians for bruised Wounds and Cuts, boyled very tender, and stamped betwixt two stones to a Plaister, and the decoction thereof poured into the wound; And also to fetch the Fire out of Burns and Scalds.” 25 The preceding “Achariston” and its method of preparation represents one of the few primitive pharmacals and pharmacal operations, mentioned by Josselyn; the second —the method of “drawing out” or abstracting “Oyl of Akrons”—reveals vaguely the Indian process of producing oils by means of saponification. (Felter.) 26 Quercus alba L. White Oak. (Felter.) 27 Ainus species (Tuckerman). (Felter.) 28 Corylus rostrata Aiton (Beaked Hazel) and Corylus americana Walt. (Common Hazel), (C. americanum Wangenheim, according to Tuckerman). (Felter.) 29 Be tula alba L. Paper Birch, Canoe Birch, or White Birch. (Felter.) 20 Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch, Black Birch. (Felter.)