Lewis J. Germain to Richard Yates

Galena Ills July 1863

To

His Excellency Richard Yates

Governor of the State of Illinois

Sir

The undersigned would respectfully State to your Excellency that He is acquainted with a Medicinal Plant, which if it were supplyed to the Hospital Dispensatories of the Army for the use of soldiers suffering under attacks of summer complaints including such as have become chronic, as well as the recent and more manageable cases. - It would restore to the ranks, or save the lives of most of those who under ordinary treatment, would succumb to this class of maladies, so, incident and troublesome to camp life.

The Plant is known scientifically as the "OEnothera biennis" - Its most common name is "Scabish". it is of general distribution - growing abundantly in all sections of the Country. It is pleasant to the taste. In its operation, it is soothing - Strengthening and health restoring.

I am a civil Engineer by Profession, and have been engaged in the construction of Public Works, a large portion of the time since 1833. I have scarse known

a case of cholera morbus - Dysentery - Sun Stroke Diorrhaea or Flux, occurring on our works, that would not yield to this remedy - and this too, in the seasons when the cholera prevailed - I have brought this Plant to the attention of many Physicians who have adopted it in their practice - But as it has not become officinal, it is not to be procured of the apothecaries, and is as yet comparitively little known.

Yet it might be supplyed by the aid of the sanitary Commission - or it might be obtained in the vicinity of the Hospitals by the properly instructed attendants, who could readily learn to distinguish the growing Plant. I might refer Your Excellency to Brig. Genl. M. Brayman of Springfield To Col R B. Mason of Chicago or to the Hon Sidney Breeze of Carlisle - and to hundreds of other citizens of Illinois who have used this remedy in their families, or have used it themselves. -

I have gathered and gratuitously distributed large quantities of this Plant both to Physicians and Laymen, and as yet the most signal and wonderful success has attended its use. There is a case in point in this City at this time. J. G. Kunz an invalid and discharged Private of Com D. 45th Regt Ill St Vol who was discharged from the Hospital at Memphis in March last as an incurable subject of chronic Diorrhoea.

Hearing of his case as one which his Physicians here had also despared of curing - I sought the privilege of helping him - and within a few days from the time he commenced using the above remedy, he was declaired out of danger by his Physician, and is now convalescent. as with him, so invariably has been the success attending the use of this plant. I am confident that its use in the army would restore to, or keep more men in the ranks, who otherwise must be discharged or perish in the Hospitals - Than a score of Recruiting Officers could enlist to supply their places in the same time - and this assertion I can make good and will gladly if I may be allowed the privilege and assistance to enable me to undertake the duty.

I was formerly Prof. of Natl. Sciences in Burlington College N.J. and have been a Member of the Academy of Natl. Sci. of Philadelphia since 1842 - So that in paying some attention to Medical Botany I have not altogether departed from what should have demanded My study. But I may not trespass further on your time and attention - My conscience would not allow Me to do less

With this as My apology - I am Your Excellencies

Obedient Servant

Lewis J. Germain

File G

Germain Lewis J

Galena July 1 1863.

Is acquainted with a medicinal plant, which if used in the hospitals it would restore to the ranks, or save the lives of the most of whom under ordinary treatment would succumb to this class of maladies, &c.

Recd Ex O July 16 1863