lxviii 
INTRODUCTION. 
or to extinction, but to other conditions, which tend to prevent 
identification at the time of collection.” This shows also the 
necessity of rational cultivation, and hence of medicinal farms.* 
Many have been disappointed from the use of indigenous 
drugs for which the cause is not far to seek. A writer in the 
Calcutta Review for 1869 (p : 199) said : — 
“ The distrust of bazar medicines is, we are convinced, well 
warranted by facts. In many cases bazar medicines are simple 
trash. Let any one only look at the system of storage followed 
in a pansari’s shop, and one very evident reason of this will be 
apparent. His wares are of all degrees of staleness, the stock 
of many of them inherited from his father or grandfather and 
long ago inert. Stoppered bottles are things unknown, and all 
substances are alike stowed in bags or earthen vessels, exposed 
to every variation of the atmosphere in respect of heat and moist- 
ure, and to the attack of every kind of insect. "* * * Many are 
adulterated, and as a matter of course, none are labelled.” 
The above also shows the necessity of medicinal farms and 
the establishment of depots for the supply of reliable prepa- 
rations of indigenous drugs. 
It is the bounden duty of educated Indians to do all that lies 
in their power for the proper study of Indian medicinal plants 
and drugs. In 1879, the Calcutta Review wrote : — 
“ The resuscitation of Indian medical science is a noble and 
useful work which ought to be performed by educated Hin- 
doos. * * It is perfectly true that Indian drugs ought to 
be largely studied and used by medical practitioners in this 
country. European medical men fully admit this truth and some 
of them have labored earnestly and assiduously to accomplish 
this object. But it is easy to understand that the efforts of 
foreigners must be necessarily imperfect and unproductive of 
adequate results. Upon educated Indian members of the pro- 
fession, therefore, devolves this great and solemn duty, for it is 
they alone who can discharge it adequately and well. * * In 
India the foreign and the indigenous systems ought to be read 
together if full benefit is to be derived from either.” 
B, D. BASU. 
* A few enterprising Ayurvedic practitioners of Calcutta have established 
snch farms in the neighbourhood of that city. But these are on small scale. 
