- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 9 



-1 



tnediea ; but vegetable substances afford the mildest, most cffi- 

 clent, and most congenial to the human frame. 



7. A vegetable substance is called active when producing 

 strong or quick effects, and inactive or inert, when producing; 

 weaker or slower effects. 



8. But there is hardly a plant totally inert, and not producing 

 in large doses sfeme sensation or effect. 



9. Active plants and substattces are commonly known by the 

 senses of smell or taste ; while inert plants are scentless and 

 tasteless. 



10. The most active plants are not always the best for use, be- 

 ing less grateful than others, and more liable to impair the func- 

 tions of life* 



11. Poisonous plants are all available as medicinal, and often 

 the most active ; but they are liafile to the same objection, In a 

 greater degree. 



12. Active and poisonous plants, must be used with care and 

 judgment, sparingly and in small doses only. 



13. Similar or consimilar tastes or smells, indicate similar or 

 consimilar Qualities and Properties. 



14. The sensible Qualities o^ plants are the results of their or- 

 ganization, and chemical composition ; their medical Properties 

 arise from these Qualities. 



15. Plants of the same Genus have commonly the same quali- 

 fies and properties, more or less unfolded. 



16. Genera of the same Natural Family or Order, have often 

 consimilar qualities and properties. 



17. Modifications or Deviations from these two last rules occur 

 when the organization and locality are very different. 



18. Artificial Systems, like the sexual system of Linnsrus 

 separating the most related Genera, and uniting the moat remote, 

 cannot indicate medical affinities. 



19. Where the artificial systems coincide with the natural me- 

 thod; they may both answ'er the purpose of medical indications. 



20. Few plants possess a single property ; many are commonly 



blended in the same plant* 

 21. Diffe 



properties. 



parate qualit 



