INTRODUCTION. xvil 



entered the Temple of Wisdom, teaches us, plainly, 

 that the sages of antiquity were well aware of the 

 importance of this study. It often happens, that he 

 who has even but a slight knowledge of medicine, 

 and understands the peculiarities of his own con- 

 stitution, is able, by the timely application of a 

 suitable remedy, entirely to remove, or lessen, any 

 illness with which he may be attacked. 



English physicians residing in the East, and more 

 especially those in the Punjab, may derive great ad- 

 vantage from the Flora Mcdica Cashmereana. I 

 should recommend them to apply to the Secretary 

 of the Medical Club at Lahore, that he may send 

 them^ annually, £ small but fresh supply of herbs, 

 and to use them according to the System I lay 

 down in this work. 



It would, indeed, be desirable for physicians who 

 intend to establish themselves in any country, to 

 make themselves acquainted with the productions 

 of the locality, and to try the qualities of indi- 

 genous plants on healthy as well as on diseased in- 

 dividuals, that they may be able to use them ad- 

 vantageously. Such a course would not only render 

 the physician independent of the supplies of medi- 

 cines from foreign countries, and furnish him with 

 remedial agents on the qualities of which he could 

 depend, but he v/ould, at the same time, be render- 

 ing a service to mankind, by the occasional dis- 

 coveries with which he might enrich medical science. 

 It was thus, that I discovered the healing properties 

 of nearly all the plants which are mentioned in my 

 Materia Medica, in the second volume. 



If this advice were generally acted upon, a 

 considerable saving would be ensured to the 



