Refpe£ting the ufes of Simples, the opinion of Oribafius will
not be difputed, viz. “ SimpUctum medic amentorum^ 8ff facultatum qua:
“ in eis mfunt^ cognitio ita necejfaria eji^ ut fine ea nemo rite medicari
“ queat and it is a lamentable truth, that our experimental know-
ledge of many of the herbaceous fimplcs is extremely defective ; for
as writers on the Materia Medica have ufually done little more than
copy the accounts given by their predecelfors, the virtues now
afcribed to feveral plants are wholly referrible to the authority of
Diofcorides. It is however hoped that the medical reader will find
what relates to this part of the work as complete as the flow pro-
greflive ftate of experience in phyfic will admit : with this intention,
fadts and opinions have been induftrioufly colledted from various
authorities ; and thofe adduced by ProfefTor Murray, and the works
of the late Dr. Cullen, have furnifhed the largeft contribution.
The publication of this work in monthly numbers has afforded
the author an opportunity of knowing already the fentiments enter-
tained of it, by feveral Gentlemen of great medical and botanical
authority ; from whofe unfolicited communications he has derived
confiderable affiftance, and for whofe friendly fuggeftions he defires^
to make his moft grateful acknowledgments.
A C AT ALO G U E
