The Kentucky Gazette

From the American Museum, or December 1788.

The great efficacy of White ash bark, in expelling the poison communicated by the bite of venomous animals.

Jeremiah Halley esq. of Preston, was some time since stung with a bee in the upper lip. The pain which it occasioned, immediately extended over the whole body. In fifteen minutes his lips swelled with large eruptions, which covered the body. Every appearance indicated a high state of inflammation. The case soon became very alarming; as in about twenty minutes the lungs were sensibly effected; and fainting fits indicated approaching death. As soon as it could be procured, he chewed some of the white ash bark, and immediately received sensible relief at the breast. He then took a decoction of it with milk, and perfectly recovered; the swelling continuing about two days.

The same gentleman attests the following as a fact, of which he was a witness.—A dog, in attempting to kill a red snake, was bitten in three or four places in the head. The bite of this snake is said to be more venomous than that of the rattle snake. In about an hour, the dog became much swollen. and discovered scarcely any signs of life. Milk, boiled with the white ash bark, was now poured down his throat. The effect was surprising, and may appear incredible. The next morning, which was about twelve hours after the dog was bitten, he was as active as ever; and hunted in the woods as usual.

It is an undoubted truth, that the Indians who are generally well acquainted with the virtues and indigenous productions, have the white ash in great estimation, as peculiarly unfriendly to venomous snakes.

As the bite of a mad dog, is thought to communicate a slow, though fatal poison, it is submitted to the gentlemen of the faculty, whether, from the above facts, this bark might not be tried in cases of canine madness: