164 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



From our present knowledge of this matter it seems ad- 

 visable to condense the list so as to include only the most 

 important material; that is, such plants as have proved effica- 

 cious, either medicinally or toxically, according to the general 

 conception of these two terms. There is no doubt that much 

 of folklore has entered into the belief in the great virtues of 

 plants reputed to be medicinal. This fact portrays clearly the 

 primitive mentality of a part of our people who have not yet 

 entirely thrown oif the ethological traces which at one time 

 characterized them. What might at first glance appear to be 

 of secondary importance or even without value, may often prove 

 the stepping-stone to chemical investigation; because a belief 

 that may appear to be mere opinion without foundation in fact 

 is, in reality, the result of practical observation. A thing ob- 

 served may be inexplicable to one of primitive intelligence ; but 

 such observation may develop into superstition, since his mind 

 is incapable of interpreting correctly the phenomenon he has 

 observed, and he can only explain it as having occurred through 

 the mysterious intervention of some deity who possesses the 

 key to the enigma. 



The mediquillos,* not really understanding the causes that 

 produce disease, simply utilize the plants herein described in 

 the treatment of symptoms. For this reason, the descriptions 

 of their curative uses are usually given here in terms of symp- 

 toms rather than as remedies for the treatment of specific 

 diseases. 



The formulas used by the mediquillos for the administration 

 of their vegetal drugs are the simplest. Their officinal and 

 galenic preparations consist of decoctions and infusions that 

 are more or less concentrated, recently adopted sirups, oily 

 unguents or embrocations, watery or alcoholic macerations, poul- 

 tices, plasters that have for their base pure wax or resinous sub- 

 stances, inhalations, fumigations, empyreumatic products, etc. 

 Their methods of manipulation are rudimentary and inspired 

 by false principles or by a faulty understanding of the imme- 

 diate component parts of the plants. The mediquillo is not 

 given to mixing many ingredients in one prescription; this 

 fact makes it easier to detect the effects of the drug employed 

 by him, and eliminates all doubt as to whether the effect can 

 be attributed to the principal medicament or to some other one 

 used in connection with it. 



* A word used in the Philippine Islands for one having medical ex- 

 perience but no title. 



