come from the Indians, they being us'd for the same Diseases in Mexico and Brazile, as Piso, Marcgrave, Hernandez, Ximenes, and others relate.
One of the greatest remedies of the Planters living here to prevent Diseases, or the ill effect of what they call ill Fumes or Vapours, is an infusion of the Seeds of that kind of Aristolochia called Contra Yerva. The Seeds steep'd in Wine afford a clammy, yellow substance which sticks close to them, and their infusion in Wine is used in a morning in sickly times, to prevent Infection. The Seeds infused in Spirit of Wine, and distill'd, afford a Spirit very good to promote Sweating in Colds and Fevers. This Plant is used for much the same purposes, both in the Continent of America and the East-Indies. Dr. Smallwood an English Physician, who liv'd in Guatemala, (having been taken Prisoner by the Spaniards) told me that the Spaniards made great use of this Herb in all poisonous and Malignant Diseases. The Indians about Guiana had first discovered its Vertue to the Spaniards, for the Doctor being pursued by them and wounded by one of their poison'd Arrows, to find out his Cure, they took one of their Indian Prisoners, and tying him to a Post threatned to wound him with one of their own venemous Arrows, if immediately he did not declare their Cure for that Disease, upon which the Indian immediately chaw'd some of this Contra Yerva, and put it into the wound, and it healed. The Inhabitants here use also with great success, Vomits of the infusion of Crocus Metallorum in Wine, in Fevers and other Diseases.
The Trade of Jamaica is either with Europe or America. That of Europe consists in bringing thither Flower, Bisket, Beef, Pork, all manner of Clothing for Masters and Servants, as Osnabrigs, blew Cloth, Liquors of all sorts, &c. Madera Wine is also imported in great quantities from the Island of that name, by Vessels sent from England on purpose, on all which the Merchant is supposed to Gain generally 50 per cent. Profit. The Goods sent back again, or Exported from the Island, are Sugars, most part Muscavados, Indico, Cotton-wool, Ginger, Piemento All-Spice or Jamaica-Pepper, Fustick-wood, Prince-wood, Lignum Vitæ, Arnotto, Log-wood, and the several Commodities they have from the Spaniards of the West-Indies, (with whom they have a private Trade,) as Sarsaparilla, Cacao-Nuts, Cochineel, &c. on which they get considerable Profit. There is about 20 per cent. in Exchange between Spanish Money and Gold in Jamaica, and English Money paid in England.
Their
