(seq. 19)

10

Introduction

Experience

and insufficiency of Linneus arrangements, though his
classes may have some resemblance, his class Pentaria
is an exception, in this class he places Chinchona,
Strammonicum, Jalap, Ipecacuanha, and Potatoe, all which
possess very different virtues. In his class Herinaria he
has Rice, Pine Apple, Garlic, Squills, and Alloes. In the
13th Class Some of the most excellent plants with hellebore,
Chocolate, and Gamboge, these are sufficient to prove the
unnatural arrangement of Linneus. Dr Rush has divided
the system into particular or minor systems and is proposed
to class them as they operate on each of those. In some such
method I think a division might be made of more
lasting duration, but I fear the time has not yet arived
for a complete arangement on this plan it would be
easy to shun the objections such a system would be liable to.
I reject the idea of one medicine being confined in its
operation to one system alone. Opium for instance operates on
several, this is evident from its carrying a more evident
secretion of bile, and in the yellow fever brings back lost pain,
in the viscus, it acts on the lungs increasing the secretion of