2 INTRODUCTION 
within the reach of every.one who is open to infor- 
mation, regardlefs of the fource from whence it 
{prings. 
It was a circumftance of this al which firft fixed 
my attention on the Foxglove. 
In the year 1775, my opinion was afked concern- 
ing a family receipt for the cure of the dropfy. I 
was told that it had long been kept a fecret by an. 
old: woman in Shropfhire, who had fometimes made 
cures after the more regular pra¢titioners had failed. 
I was informed alfo, that the effects produced were 
violent vomiting and purging; for the diurétic ef 
feéts feemed to have been overlooked, This medi- 
cine was compofed of twenty or more different herbs; 
but it was not very difficult for one converfant in 
thefé fubjects, to perceive, that the active herb could — 
be no other than ~ Rilgieves ae 
Sebeneerees of fen my 
ution in a variety of cafes; for the — 
oor who thus applied for advice, 
