An Account of the Abipones, an Equestrian People of Paraguay, (1 of 3)

by Martin Dobrizhoffer

THE ROOT JALAP.

Paraguay abounds in the root jalap, the plant of which is called by botanists Mirabilis Peruviana. These roots are long, thick, and resinous. Without they are of a dusky brown, but within of a pure white, without any decay. They not only cure bile, and rheum, but expel other noxious humours from the body. The rosin of jalap is prepared from them.