THE MEDICINE AND MEDICINAL-PLANTS OF RAFINESQUE,C.S

This paper pursues the lead of Bat? K. Holland in utilizing classic li terature as a guide to the pharmacologic potentialities of natural pro ducts. Instead of focusing on European texts, however, American medici nal plants are examined through the work Of the influential naturalist Constantine S. Rafinesque (1783-1840). Rafinesque is discussed with s pecial attention to his activities as a medical botanist. In particula r, the plant species monographed in the main section of his Medical Fl ora of the United States (1828-1830) are studied for their historical and current use as medicinal agents. The results are tabulated and pre sented in a bar graph. The study concludes that Rafinesque was a progr essive therapist whose Medical Flora is a promising guide for phytopha rmacuetical prospecting with North American plants.