Characters, Properties, and Uses of Their Parts and Products of Medicinal Value
The following systematic account of the most important plants used in medicine has been presented in forty two parts, and has takes over four years for its publication. The order in which the species are numbered and arranged in accordance with botanical system, affords no clue to the actual sequence in which they were initially published; this was determined wholly by circumstances, such as a species happening to flower in one of the botanic gardens, which enabled at any particular time a figure and description to be made. In the while using the book, it is important to remember this, or the editors might be taken to have neglected in some cases the recent information.
As must always be the case in a book published in this manner, some descrepencies of treatment will doubtlessly be observed, and are, indeed, unavoidable. Some plants may appear to have been treated at undue length, whilst others have been comparatively neglected; but it will be found that such differences have resulted from the varying interests taken in substances at different times, some new remedies especially exciting much attention, and thus demanding a full description, though perhaps not of any permanent value. In fact, each chapter must to a considerable extent be considered, independent of the rest, but the editors believe that no researches of importance have been overlooked and that the bibliographical references have brought fully updated.
This work was originally designed to serve especially as an illustrated botanical guide for the British Pharmacopoeia, the Pharmacopoeia of India, and the Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America.
It will be observed that the text about each plant is divided into two portions; the first devoted to the description of the species, its localities, and other purely botanical matters and the second to the general characters, composition, properties, and uses of its parts or products, which are employed in medicines or otherwise. The work thus being of a greater comprehensive character for one author, Professor Bentley, who originally designed it, was happy to obtain the cooperation of Dr. Trimen, who undertook the first portion, Professor Bentley reserving for himself the latter. A few words of explanation of the plan followed in each section seems to be required.
At the head of the page in small type is the name of the Natural Order, with a reference to one or more of the standard books on general systematic botany; and then the name of the Genus, with similar quotations of the best general works which give full generic descriptions. The name of the species is printed in large, bold type, and is followed by the authority. fully quoted, with the date. This is not the proper time to enter into any discussion on botanical nomenclature, but it may be noted that the modern binominal system was invented by Linnaeus in the year 1753, which is thus the earliest date, which any such name can possibly have, though, of course, the great majority of the plants, he described were well known before that time, and not unfrequently under names which Linnaeus adopted.
Under the heading Syn. there are printed some selected synonyms. Most species have had the misfortune to receive more than one name, a result of different views held either as to the limits of genera or of species, as well as of ignorance of the existence of a previous name. Hence some synonyms are strictly so, i.e. duplicate names or pat names, whilst others represent varieties or forms which have been separated as species and named by their authors.
The description of the plant, which follows, has been given in somewhat full detail, and in strictly scientific but not very technical language, presupposing some knowledge of botanical science in the reader. In a great majority of cases the descriptions were freshly made from actual living or dried specimens, and it must be borne in mind that they apply to the living plant, and not to the drug prepared for the market.
Details of microscopic structure are not given, as such characters are not included in the objects of the work.
Under the heading habitat is covered all necessary information relating to geographical distribution, cultivation, time of flowering, varieties, etc., as well as, in special cases, some account of the discovery of the species and its determination as the source of the drug under consideration. Notes on allied species, on nomenclature, on special or noteworthy points of structure, etc., also fall under this section, which is concluded by a citation of the books and papers, chiefly Floras of various countries, in which further detail as to distribution, culture, or peculiarities, may be obtained.
In the second portion of the text the parts or products which are official in one or more of the three pharmacopoeias specially illustrated are first mentioned, together with their pharmaceutical and common names; or, in the case of plants not recognised in either of these pharmacopoeias, reference is made to the parts which are in use, together with their scientific and ordinary names.
Then follows, when necessary, some notes on the Collection, Preparation, and Commerce of the drug or substance treated of; but in other cases its general description and composition immediately succeed. With respect to the general description of the drug great care and attention have been given, and it is hoped that the full details will prove to be of especial value to pharmacists and others, who are constantly called upon to deal with the drugs of vegetable origin. In that part relating to Chemical Composition it has not been deemed necessary, or, in fact, coming within the objects of the work, to do more than briefly refer to those constituents in which the properties of the drug reside, or which are regarded as the most important. For full details. in this respect, reference should be made to special works on chemistry and medicine.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
Acupuncture & Acupressure (196)
Gem Therapy (23)
Homeopathy (513)
Massage (22)
Naturopathy (429)
Original Texts (220)
Reiki (59)
Therapy & Treatment (171)
Tibetan Healing (131)
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