Dr. Gratehup on the utility of Botany in Medicine. 31 



which was substituted for that of the true Hellebore. And 

 indeed this active remedy was confounded with the roots of 

 TROLL1US Europ<cus, AsTRAN Tl.v major, AjOTMA sj)icata, &c. 



This fatal error lasted for several centuries, and it is easily 

 conceived that the employment of vegetables endowed with 

 such dillerent properties, must have been ■Mended with the 

 most fatal results ; and it is probable that this error would never 

 have been rectified, says Mr. Puyade, had it not been for the 

 inquiries of Professor Gouan. 



This celebrated botanist, directed by Lemonier and Lieutaud 

 to solve this problem, demonstrated that the plant employed by 

 Hippocrates in the treatment of mania was the Helleborus 

 orientalis amplissimo folio of Tournefort, which corresponds with 

 the Helleborus niger of Linnanis, the root of which is 

 blackish, of a bitter taste, and a foetid disagreeable smell. 



Errors like these, resulting from an ignorance of Botany, are 

 of the greatest importance. They not only essentially injure the 

 reputation of the persons by whom they are committed, but 

 may also have the most lamentable results in compromising the 

 lis is of patients. Let us add that this shameful and aillicting 

 negligence often causes unjustly the absolute proscription of a 

 precious medicine <>r of ■ plant of the greatest utility. 



It is therefore of the utmost importance for the physician 

 tii be well acquainted with botanical characters, by means of 

 which th. genea and species of plants are to be distinguished. 



Thii knowledge Will assist that of their physical and medical 



pr o per ti es. But in regard t<» this, nothing is more useful to 



throw light <>ii the resesrohei Of these properties than the study 

 of the natural families, that is, of the science of the allinities 

 which »\ist between certain parts of plants. 



It is also with the assistance of this stud\ that new remedies 

 may be discovered, and the extent of the Materia Mcdica 

 enl 



Bod. Jacob Contraries, of Tubingen, was the first medical 

 naturalist who affirmed, that plants coinciding in their enterics 



