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ished, but when we take into consideration the scope and diversity of 

 •country embraced by the State of Iowa, the valleys of the Mississippi 

 and Missouri rivers on the east and west, with their peculiar vegeta- 

 tion, the high table land on the northwest, the laky region upon which 

 it encroaches on the north, and the Mexican Flora running into the 

 south-western part of the State, confirmed even by the casual observ- 

 ation to which they have been subjected, we may safely infer that when 

 thoroughly examined, Iowa will present a Flora inferior to that of no 

 State in the Union. 



With such an extensive field, that has as yet, comparatively speak- 

 ing, been unexplored, I cannot help but call the attention of the mem- 

 bers of the Society to the study of our indigenous medical botany. A 

 subject pregnant with so much importance to the profession at large, 

 to the community we live in, and to ourselves, cannot receive too much 

 attention. The idea so prevalent, that our country does not produce 

 as many medicinal plants, as the older countries of the eastern hem- 

 isphere, is entirely erroneous ; apparently it is so, but the difference is 

 simply this, the virtues of their plants are better known; and who, I 

 would ask, is to bring forth from obscurity these hidden treasures ? 

 The answer every one will give is, the profession, the members of 

 this Society ; for this purpose you meet here, they would expect it 

 from you, science expects it from you, humanity expects it from you, 

 and duty expects it from you. You must not rest contented to think 

 that you possess sufficient remedial means to combat disease, but rath- 

 er think to the contrary ; let your aim and object be, not to thrive and 

 live upon what others have done before you, but let each one feel that 

 it is his duty, yes, that he is morally bound to contribute his portion 

 to the already great stores. 



The science of medicine, as everything else, is progressing, let us, 

 therefore endeavor to keep pace with it, let each of us do our duty, 

 so that Iowa may take her proper position in the constellation of our 

 Union* among her sister States, in this as well as in every other res- 

 pect. The united efforts of the members of this Society, will accom- 

 plish great good, independent of the advantages that would be deriv- 

 ed from the administration of the hidden virtues of many plants, and 

 it would prove more conclusively to the minds of the public, that we 

 really, truly and empltatically are eclectics, and would do more toward 

 the dissemination of correct principles, with regard to the science of 

 medicine, and the uprooting of that species of charlatanry, humbug- 

 gery and presumption, which seems to thrive upon the apparent re- 

 missness of the profession w this respect, and the credulity and preju 

 lic( of tho public 



