Blood-root, or puccoon (_Sanguinaria canadensis_), has been used for centuries by North American Indians as a medicine. It has been introduced into the United States Pharmacopœia. It is an alterative, and is useful in certain forms of dyspepsia, bronchitis, croup, and asthma. Its physiological action, however, bears no relation to its medicinal uses (_Stillé and Maisch_). Its active principle is _sanguinarina_. _Sarracenia purpurea_, Indian cup, or side-saddle plant, is a native of North America, and much used by the Indians in dyspepsia, sick headache, etc. The valuable bitter stomachic and tonic calumba-root comes to us from the forests of Eastern Africa, between Ibo and the Zambesi. Its African name is _kalumb_; it depends for its therapeutic value on the berberine which it contains, and which is found in several other plants. The natives of tropical Africa, the North American Indians, and the semi-barbarian tribes of Hindostan and China have all been impressed with the medicinal value of berberine. Before quinine was commonly used in medicine, this valuable drug was estimated most highly for its very similar properties. There can be no doubt that it was introduced into medicine by savages. Jalap comes to us from Mexico. It was named from the city of Xalapa. Cinchona bark was used by the savages of Peru long before it was introduced into European medicine. Guaiacum, so valuable in chronic rheumatism, was introduced into European medicine from the West India Islands and the northern coasts of South America. The excellent and popular tonic, quassia-wood, reaches us from Jamaica. Logwood, a valuable astringent, largely used in diarrhœa, is a native of Campeachy and other parts of Central America, and grows in the West India Islands and India. Copaiba, an oleo-resin from the copaiva tree, comes from the West Indies and tropical parts of America, chiefly from the valley of the Amazon. It is one of our most valuable remedies in diseases of the genito-urinary organs. Turkey corn, or Turkey pea (_Dicentra_, _Corydalis formosa_) grows in Canada and as far south as Kentucky. It has a reputation as a tonic, diuretic and alterative medicine, and is used in skin diseases, syphilis, etc. The negroes use the prickly ash, or toothache shrub (_Xanthoxylum fraxineum_), as a blood purifier, especially in the spring. It has long been officinal in the United States Pharmacopœia, and is considered highly serviceable in chronic rheumatism. The shrubby trefoil (_Ptelea trifoliata_) is a North American shrub, much valued in dyspepsia, and as a stimulant in the typhoid state. Its active principle is _berberine_. The above are merely a few examples taken at random of the valuable medicinal plants used by savages and primitive peoples. Thus, as might have been expected, the discovery of the Americas led to the introduction of many new drugs into medical practice. Savages eat enormously.