Ill 
Hippocrates differently to himself, so do these, (as there is 
nothing contradictory in the medical properties ascrihed 
to the several suhstances), indicate, with sufficient precision, 
the nature of the articles, as well as the countries whence 
they were procured. 
As forming parts of a general system, which was probahly 
more widely diffused than is generally supposed, it may be 
useful to enumerate the nature of the remedies, and the 
modes of applying them, which were adopted by Hippo- 
crates. Like others of his contemporaries, the Father of 
Medicine appears to have been unacquainted with anatomy, 
and necessarily with physiology ; but, like the Hindoos, he 
was remarkable for simplicity in prescription. He " was 
particular in watching the effect of external agents upon 
the system, such as temperature, the influence of the 
atmosphere, the effect of particular situations, the seasons, 
and other analogous circumstances ;" and paid particular 
attention to diet, as well as to exercise, and prescribed 
baths, both general and local, as well as fumigations. He 
employed evacuations of various kinds as purgatives and 
emetics — " he prescribed diuretics and sudorifics ; he drew 
blood both by the lancet and the scarificator ; he applied 
the cupping-glasses ; he administered injections and inserted 
issues ; he made very frequent use of external applications, 
such as ointments, plaisters, liniments, &c.'" (v. Le Clerc 
and Bostock). 
Of the articles of Materia Medica, for which Hippocrates 
was indebted to the Oriental or Persian region of botanists, 
we have Galbanum, Ammoniacum, Sagapenum and Assa- 
fcetida (if commentators are correct in considering Silphium 
to be this substance), Cummin, Coriander, Safflower, Saffron, 
and Scammony,with Sesamum. The pomegranate, and Viteoc 
Agnus Castus, with some of the Cucurbitacece, and the 
oils called Susinum and Narcissinum, are all originally 
