1 Xlll
2 system or in the cellular tissue, in the gall or in the
3 bladder, in the spleen, in the liver, in the kidneys, in
4 the stomach, or even in the intestinal canal, we might
5 then be able to detect their modus operandi also.
6 In the Bengal Dispensatory, p. 162, it is said of
7 Ranunculeae — “They are extremely acrid and corrosive;
8 and so unmanageable, as to be excluded from medical
9 use by all modern practitioners.” It would, indeed, be
10 much better to desist from using such strong medica-
11 ments altogether, when they are employed in undiluted
12 doses only. It is really pitiable when all other arts
13 and sciences have made such important progress, that
14 medicine alone should continue stationary ; that its
15 professors, from an unwillingness to investigate the
16 nature, virtue, or proper use of medicinal substances,
17 should fancy themselves bound to condemn simple yet
18 efficacious plants to oblivion, as things which providence
19 has created for the delight of our eyes only, and which
20 are sure to injure us, should we attempt to use them!
21 Almost all the plants which were employed formerly,
22 have met with this fate. Where are the Salvia, the Ruta,
23 Euphrasia, Imperatoria ? As for the deadly poisons,
24 Calomel and Opium ! these glitter as fatally brilliant in
25 the East Indian medicinal horizon, as they do among
26 English physicians. How beautiful and true are the
27 lines of Shakespeare —
28 O, mickle is the powerful grace, that lies
29 In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities:
30 For naught so vile, that on the earth doth live,
31 But to the earth some special good doth give;
32 Nor aught so good, but strained from that fair use,
33 Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.