Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure | Page 2

and where fore of their ultimate
curative action. In common with their early predecessors, these several
writers have recognised the healing virtues of the herbs, but have failed
to explore the chemical principles on which such virtues depend. Some
have attributed the herbal properties to the planets which rule their
growth. Others have associated the remedial herbs with certain cognate
colours, ordaining red flowers for disorders of the blood, and yellow for
those of the liver. "The exorcised demon of jaundice," says Conway,
"was consigned to yellow parrots; that of inflammatory disease to
scarlet, or red weeds." Again, other herbalists have selected their
healing plants on the doctrine of allied signatures, choosing, for
instance, the Viper's Bugloss as effectual against venomous bites,
because of its resembling a snake; and the sweet little English
Eyebright, which shows a dark pupil in the centre white ocular corolla,
as of signal benefit for inflamed eyes.

Thus it has continued to happen that until the [x] last half-century
Herbal Physic has remained only speculative and experimental, instead
of gaining a solid foothold in the field of medical science. Its claims
have been merely empirical, and its curative methods those of a blind
art:--
"Si vis curari, de morbo nescio quali, Accipias herbam; sed quale
nescio; nec quâ Ponas; nescio quo; curabere, nescio quando."
Your sore, I know not what, be not foreslow To cure with herbs, which,
where, I do not know; Place them, well pounc't, I know not how, and
then You shall be perfect whole, I know not when."
Happily now-a-days, as our French neighbours would say, Nous avons
changé tout cela, "Old things are passed away; behold all things are
become new!" Herbal Simples stand to-day safely determined on sure
ground by the help of the accurate chemist. They hold their own with
the best, and rank high for homely cures, because of their proved
constituents. Their manifest healing virtues are shown to depend on
medicinal elements plainly disclosed by analysis. Henceforward the
curtain of oblivion must fall on cordial waters distilled mechanically
from sweet herbs, and on electuaries artlessly compounded of seeds and
roots by a Lady Monmouth, or a Countess of Arundel, as in the Stuart
and Tudor times. Our Herbal Simples are fairly entitled at last to
independent promotion from the shelves of the amateur still-room,
from [xi] the rustic ventures of the village grandam, and from the
shallow practices of self styled botanical doctors in the back streets of
our cities.
"I do remember an apothecary,-- And hereabouts he dwells,--whom late
I noted In tatter'd weeds, with overwhelming brows, Culling of Simples;
meagre were his looks; And in his needy shop a tortoise hung, An
alligator stuff'd, and other skins Of ill-shap'd fishes; and about his
shelves A beggarly account of empty boxes, Green earthen pots,
bladders, and musty seeds, Remnants of packthread, and old cakes of
roses Were thinly scattered to make up a show." Romeo and Juliet, Act
V. Sc. 1.

Chemically assured, therefore, of the sterling curative powers which
our Herbal Simples possess, and anxious to expound them with a
competent pen, the present author approaches his task with a zealous
purpose, taking as his pattern, from the Comus of Milton:--
"A certain shepherd lad Of small regard to see to, yet well skilled In
every virtuous plant, and healing herb; He would beg me sing; Which,
when I did, he on the tender grass Would sit, and hearken even to
constancy; And in requital ope his leathern scrip, And show me Simples,
of a thousand names, Telling their strange, and vigorous faculties."
Shakespeare said, three centuries ago, "throw physic to the dogs." But
prior to him, one Doctor Key, self styled Caius, had written in the Latin
[xii] tongue (tempore Henry VIII.), a Medical History of the British
Canine Race. His book became popular, though abounding in false
concords; insomuch that from then until now medical classics have
been held by scholars in poor repute for grammar, and sound
construction. Notwithstanding which risk, many a passage is quoted
here of ancient Herbal lore in the past tongues of Greece, Rome; and
the Gauls. It is fondly hoped that the apt lines thus borrowed from old
faultless sources will escape reproach for a defective modern rendering
in Dog Latin, Mongrel Greek, or the "French of Stratford atte bowe."
Lastly, quaint old Fuller shall lend an appropriate Epilogue. "I stand
ready," said he (1672), "with a pencil in one hand, and a spunge in the
other, to add, alter, insert, efface, enlarge, and delete, according to
better information. And if these my pains shall be found worthy to
passe a second Impression, my faults I will confess with shame, and
amend with thankfulnesse, to such as will contribute clearer
intelligence unto me."
1895.

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