304 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
fully to cultivate our resources, both that we may be fully 
prepared against whatever adverse events may occur, and 
in the hope, moreover, that we may thereby add something 
new and valuable to the means already existing for the alle- 
viation of human evil. 
It is an interesting subject of inquiry, in what manner at- 
tention was first attracted to the medicinal plants of this coun- 
try. When our ancestors had established themselves in their 
new home, and began to investigate with the eye of curiosity 
or interest the various novelties around them, it was quite na- 
tural that they should at once be struck with resemblances to 
familiar objects, and should expect a similarity in properties 
where they found a similarity in appearance. The care of 
their health no doubt early directed their inquiries towards 
medicinal products, and plants resembling the simples with 
which they had been familiar received corresponding names 
and similar applications. Thus we have our Centaury, our 
Dittany, our Hellebore, our Pennyroyal, our Senna, our 
Wormseed, and numerous others so closely allied to the Eu- 
ropean plants by botanical affinities as to be entitled to the 
same generic designation, such as the Elder, the Elm, the 
Oak, the Pine, and the Willow. In this way a domestic Ma- 
teria Medica was immediately commenced, which gradually 
increased as substances before unknown were accidentally, or 
from the possession of certain striking sensible properties, 
submitted to trial, and found or imagined to operate usefully 
as medicines. Several substances were also derived from the 
aborigines, of which the most important are Seneka, Serpen- 
taria, and Spigelia. 
It was at one time a general belief that the Indians were in 
possession of many valuable remedies, and had even specifics 
for various obstinate complaints which had baffled European 
skill. These they were supposed to keep secret from some 
mysterious cause, which acted powerfully on the popular faith 
by exciting the imagination. A class of empirics took advan- 
tage of this superstition, and, under the name of Indian Doc- 
tors, spread themselves over the country, imposing their nos- 
