Excerpt from Animal Simples: Approved for Modern Uses of Cure IN our eager boyish days, when a travelling exhibition of wild beasts came to visit the neighbourhood, with an imposing procession of elephants, camels, monkeys, lion-tamers, gilded cars, and other multiform fascinations, its lively brass band on the beards outside, and its voluble showman on the front steps, were, to our thinking, indispensable attractions before we sought zoo logical instruction within the big tent. But, of course, a doctor's medicinal menagerie is a much more serious affair; and far be it from us to announce the arrival thereof with beat of drum, or ourish of trumpet, in any such mountebank fashion None the less we take leave to temper the grave occasion with some light prefatory patter before becoming didactic, and solemn, in the body of our book. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by W. T. Fernie, M.D. The art of Simpling is as old with us as our British hills. It aims at curing common ailments with simple remedies culled from the soil, or got from home resources near at hand. Since the days of the Anglo-Saxons such remedies have been chiefly herbal; insomuch that the word "drug" came originally from their verb drigan, to dry, as applied to medicinal plants. These primitive Simplers were guided in their choice of herbs partly by watching animals who sought them out for self-cure, and partly by discovering for themselves the sensible properties of the plants as revealed by their odour and taste; also by their supposed resemblance to those diseases which nature meant them to heal. John Evelyn relates in his Acetaria (1725) that "one Signor Faquinto, physician to Queen Anne (mother to the beloved martyr, Charles the First), and formerly physician to one of the Popes, observing scurvy and dropsy to be the epidemical and dominant diseases of this nation, went himself into the hundreds of Essex, reputed the most unhealthy county of this island, and used to follow the sheep and cattle on purpose to observe what plants they chiefly fed upon; and of these Simples he composed an excellent electuary of marvellous effects against these same obnoxious infirmities." Also, in like manner, it was noticed by others that "the dog, if out of condition, would seek for certain grasses of an emetic or purgative sort; sheep and cows, when ill, would devour curative plants; an animal suffering from rheumatism would remain as much as it could in the sunshine; and creatures infested by parasites would roll themselves frequently in the dust." Again, William Coles in his Nature's Paradise, or, Art of Simpling (1657), wrote thus: "Though sin and Sathan have plunged mankinde into an ocean of infirmities, jet the mercy of God, which is over all His works, maketh grass to grow upon the mountaines, and Herbes for the use of men; and hath not only stamped upon them a distinct forme, but also given them particular signatures, whereby a man may read even in legible characters the use of them." The present manual of our native Herbal Simples seeks rather to justify their uses on the sound basis of accurate chemical analysis, and precise elementary research. Hitherto medicinal herbs have come down to us from early times as possessing only a traditional value, and as exercising merely empirical effects. Their selection has been commended solely by a shrewd discernment, and by the practice of successive centuries. But to-day a closer analysis in the laboratory, and skilled provings by experts have resolved the several plants into their component parts, and have chemically determined the medicinal nature of these parts, both singly and collectively. So that the study and practice of curative British herbs may now fairly take rank as an exact science, and may command the full confidence of the sick for supplying trustworthy aid and succour in their times of bodily need.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by W. T. Fernie, M.D. The art of Simpling is as old with us as our British hills. It aims at curing common ailments with simple remedies culled from the soil, or got from home resources near at hand. Since the days of the Anglo-Saxons such remedies have been chiefly herbal; insomuch that the word "drug" came originally from their verb drigan, to dry, as applied to medicinal plants. These primitive Simplers were guided in their choice of herbs partly by watching animals who sought them out for self-cure, and partly by discovering for themselves the sensible properties of the plants as revealed by their odour and taste; also by their supposed resemblance to those diseases which nature meant them to heal. John Evelyn relates in his Acetaria (1725) that "one Signor Faquinto, physician to Queen Anne (mother to the beloved martyr, Charles the First), and formerly physician to one of the Popes, observing scurvy and dropsy to be the epidemical and dominant diseases of this nation, went himself into the hundreds of Essex, reputed the most unhealthy county of this island, and used to follow the sheep and cattle on purpose to observe what plants they chiefly fed upon; and of these Simples he composed an excellent electuary of marvellous effects against these same obnoxious infirmities."

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by W. T. Fernie, M.D. The art of Simpling is as old with us as our British hills. It aims at curing common ailments with simple remedies culled from the soil, or got from home resources near at hand. Since the days of the Anglo-Saxons such remedies have been chiefly herbal; insomuch that the word "drug" came originally from their verb drigan, to dry, as applied to medicinal plants. These primitive Simplers were guided in their choice of herbs partly by watching animals who sought them out for self-cure, and partly by discovering for themselves the sensible properties of the plants as revealed by their odour and taste; also by their supposed resemblance to those diseases which nature meant them to heal. John Evelyn relates in his Acetaria (1725) that "one Signor Faquinto, physician to Queen Anne (mother to the beloved martyr, Charles the First), and formerly physician to one of the Popes, observing scurvy and dropsy to be the epidemical and dominant diseases of this nation, went himself into the hundreds of Essex, reputed the most unhealthy county of this island, and used to follow the sheep and cattle on purpose to observe what plants they chiefly fed upon; and of these Simples he composed an excellent electuary of marvellous effects against these same obnoxious infirmities."

William Thomas Fernie's 'Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure' is a groundbreaking work that explores the traditional uses of herbal remedies and their relevance in modern medicine. With a focus on the therapeutic properties of various plants, Fernie's book provides a detailed analysis of how these 'simples' can be utilized for healing purposes. Written in a clear and accessible style, the book serves as a valuable resource for both scholars and practitioners in the field of herbal medicine. Fernie's work is a testament to the enduring power of botanical remedies and their ability to offer holistic healing solutions in today's world. William Thomas Fernie, a respected physician and herbalist, draws upon his expertise in the field of alternative medicine to present a comprehensive guide to herbal remedies. His passion for exploring the healing properties of plants is evident throughout the book, as he delves into the historical significance of each herb and its practical applications in modern healthcare. Fernie's authoritative voice and in-depth knowledge make 'Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure' a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of traditional and modern medicine. I highly recommend 'Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure' to readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of herbal medicine and its potential benefits. Fernie's meticulous research and insightful commentary make this book a valuable addition to any library, offering a wealth of information on the therapeutic uses of natural remedies.