PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
Respecting the uses of Simples, the opinion of Oribasius will 
not be disputed, viz. “ Simplicitum medicamentorum, & facultatum 
* que in ets insunt, cognitio iia necessaria est, ut sine ea nemo rite 
“« medicari queat:” and it is a lamentable truth, that our experi- 
mental knowledge of many of the herbaceous simples is ex- 
tremely defective; for as writers on the Materia Medica have 
usually done little more than copy the accounts given by their 
predecessors, the virtues now ascribed to several plants are wholly 
referrible to the authority of Dioscorides. It is however hoped 
that the medical reader will find what relates to this part of the 
work as complete as the slow progressive state of experience in 
physic will admit: with this intention, facts and opinions have 
been industriously collected from various authorities; and those 
adduced by Professor Murray, and the works of the late Dr. 
Cullen, have furnished the largest contribution, 
The publication of this work in monthly numbers has afforded 
the author an opportunity of knowing already the sentiments 
entertained of it, by several Gentlemen of great medical and 
botanical authority ; from whose unsolicited communications he 
has derived considerable assistance, and for whose friendly sug- 
gestions he desires to make his most grateful acknowledgments, 
