In undertaking a Second Edition of this work, I have been further influenced by a desire to render its scope and contents more complete. With more extended knowledge on my part, drawn partly from subsequent personal experience in the use of Indian drugs, and partly from the Reports received from Medical Officers during the preparation of the Pharmacopœia of India, I realised how imperfect the original work was; and feeling myself in a position to add much information which would tend to increase its usefulness, I determined upon issuing another edition. The whole work has accordingly been rewritten and greatly enlarged.
It was evidently quite out of the question, in a small work like the present, to include the host of medicines included under the general headings of "Bazaar Medicines" and "Common Medical Plants of India," but from them I have made a selection of about 80, comprising—1 Antacid, 8 Astringents, 3 Antispasmodics, 2 Antiscorbutics, 6 Antiperiodics, 5 Demulcents and Emollients, 4 Diaphoretics or Sudorifics, 4 Diuretics, 3 Expectorants, 2 Emmenagogues, 4 Emetics, 6 Purgatives, 3 Narcotics or Sedatives, 5 Refrigerants, 9 Stomachics or Carminatives, 7 Bitter Tonics, 5 Alterative Tonics or Alteratives, 2 Metallic Tonics, 7 Local and 4 General Stimulants, 2 Vesicants, or Blistering Agents, 6 Vermifuges, and 17 Miscellaneous Articles, not included in the above classes.
In making this selection I have been guided by the following principles:—1. By the safety of the drug; hence Arsenic, Aconite Root (Bish), Nux Vomica, Indian Hemp, and some other powerful medicines have been omitted, as it was felt to be inadvisable, in a work like the present, to introduce agents which, in the hands of unprofessional persons, might do more harm than good if employed in unsuitable cases. Where, however, a powerful drug, e.g., Opium, has been admitted, minute directions as to its employment have been given. 2. By the acknowledged utility or efficacy of the drug as proved by European experience. 3. By the drug possessing a generally well-known, recognised native name. 4. By its wide distribution and easy procurability in all parts, and in all the bazaars of India generally. It is hoped that by the addition of the native names and descriptions of the drugs (which were omitted in the First Edition), even a new-comer will have little difficulty in obtaining and recognising any particular article he may require.
With this native "Apparatus Medicaminum" very much may be accomplished under ordinary circumstances, in the way of relieving suffering and curing disease; but it must be admitted that there are certain articles included under the class "European Medicines" for which the Indian bazaars supply no adequate substitutes. I have therefore (in Appendix E) added a list of nine drugs which it appears desirable should be kept in store. They are—1. Sulphate of Quinine; 2. Ipecacuanha; 3. Smyrna or Turkey Opium; 4. Calomel; 5. Acetate of Lead; 6. Santonin; 7. Liquor Ammoniæ; 8. Blistering Fluid; and 9. Carbolic Acid.[1] No attempt has been made in the body of the work to enter into a description of the properties and uses of these drugs generally (with the exception of Opium), but in the Synopsis or Index of Diseases (Part II.) it has been pointed out how these valuable agents may be utilised in the most efficient manner. It is believed that, by adopting this course, the practical utility of the work will be greatly enhanced.
Attention is particularly directed to the Synopsis or Index of Diseases in Part II.; it is not pretended that the modes of treatment therein detailed are the best which could be adopted; the object has rather been to show how much good may be effected by the simple means at command at almost every "upcountry station" throughout India; and those who follow the directions may feel assured, that with the exercise of ordinary prudence, if they fail to do good they will at any rate do no harm.
London, 1874.
[1] To these Bromide of Potassium and Biniodide of Mercury have since been added.
INTRODUCTION.
This work, it is presumed, will fall into the hands of many who are wholly ignorant of, or very partially acquainted with, matters pharmaceutical; hence some few introductory remarks are indispensable to enable such persons to understand fully, and follow out correctly, the directions given.