Page:Thirty-five years in the East.djvu/26

 ^Vi IINTR0DUCTI0"N. those of the lower provinces, that part of Hindo- Stan being a newly^conquered country. In order to render the work more acceptable to the English faculty, I have introduced these particulars in the -second volume, where, besides a description of the new method of treatment I adopted, may be found ( as already stated ) the Flora Cashmerean, which, though not perfect, contains many of the principal tqualities and hitherto unknown effects of those .plants, which, by experiment, I discovered. The illustrative plates have been drawn with accuracy. My object is, to place the work within the reach of every one whose health is dear to him, and to render it useful to all. It will be found more es- pecially valuable to those, who, living in the in- terior of the country, are shut out from immediate medical assistance ; also to travellers, who are much exposed to noxious influences, and who may not have a physician near them. With the aid of this work, and a family medicine-chest ( which can he prepared, at a trifling expense, at any pharmaco- polist's, where the purity of the articles and the exactness of their preparation may be depended (upon ) my advice can be followed, as easily and certainly, as if I were consulted personally. Every rational being ought to possess at least some slight acquaintance with the structure of the 'human body, and also of its functions ; and should acquire a knowledge of so much of the healing-art as may be necessary to maintain a healthy action under ordinary circumstances. The celebrated Delphic inscription — /. e. Know Thyself^ which sentence of the Oracle greeted every one who