1 XXV111
2 ments, 1 was assiduous to determine, in the shortest
3 possible time, the qualities of most of the substances
4 I have mentioned ; consequently, I treated many of
5 them superficially, not occupying myself long with any
6 particular medicine. I preferred making a large col-
7 lection of such substances as had been either long
8 disused, or, which were so new, that their qualities and
9 effects were unknown or unappreciated.
10 Be it observed, most of my informations regarding
11 the effects of the medicines were gathered from the
12 uncivilized natives of Asia, whose statements cannot
13 always be relied on ; and that, notwithstanding my
14 circumspection, mistakes may have occurred, for which
15 I can hardly be held answerable. Many ignorant per-
16 sons took different remedies at the same time (several
17 different kinds of lozenges, which were of the same
18 form and color) in such cases I could not decide
19 which medicines had produced the desired effect. I
20 have stated the effect as attributable to different medi-
21 cines, that they may be further tested.
22 It also often happened, in the public hospital at
23 Lahore, that people took medicine from me and from
24 the Hakim at the same time, for the same patient ;
25 simply because both were gratis : and they took my
26 medicines whilst they were under treatment by the
27 Jerahs for abscess, ulcer, scrofula, &c. as if the in-
28 terior had no connection with the exterior.
29 In a hasty perusal of the Bengal Dispensatory , Bengal
30 Pharmacopoeia , Ainslie's Materia-Medica Indica, and
31 the summary of East Indian drugs contained in the
32 Great Exhibition Catalogue , I observed a few inac-
33 curacies and deficiencies, which I have taken the liberty