Herb Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cureby William Thomas FernieThis herb simples book, reproduced here for your enjoyment and information, was originally published in 1897, written by William Thomas Fernie M.D. In the days before allopathic medicine, herbal remedies were the norm, and many folks prepared their own for medicinal herb purposes. The book is reproduced here, in order to provide you with anecdotal information. Use the material as you best see fit, and read our disclaimer at the bottom of the page if you have questions. Some words have been changed to more modern terms, for instance when we read the word "homely" today, we think of a less than attractive girl. In the period of this herb simples book, homely meant common, or simple. The words have been changed then, where applicable, so as to make more sense to the modern reader.
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.It may happen that one or another enquirer taking up this book will ask, to begin with, "What is a Herbal Simple?" The English word "Simple," composed of two Latin words, _Singula plica_ (a single fold), means "Singleness," whether of material or purpose.From primitive times the term "Herb Simples" has been appliedto any common curative remedy consisting of one ingredient only,and that of a vegetable nature. Many such a native medicine foundfavor and success with our single-minded forefathers, this beingthe "reverent simplicity of earlier times." In our own nursery days, as we now fondly remember, it was:"Simple Simon met a pie man going to the fair; said Simple Simon to the pie man, 'Let me taste your ware.'" That ingenuous youth had but one idea, connected simply with his stomach; and his sole thought was how to devour the contents of the pie man's tin. We venture to hope our readers may be equally eager to stock their minds with the sound knowledge of Herbal Simples which this modest Manual seeks to provide for their use. Herbs in Famous LiteratureHealing by herbs has always been popular both with theclassic nations of old, and with the British islanders of more recenttimes. Two hundred and sixty years before the date of Hippocrates(460 B.C.) the prophet Isaiah bade King Hezekiah, when sick untodeath, "take a lump of Figs, and lay it on the boil; and straightway the King recovered."Iapis, the favorite pupil of Apollo, was offered endowments of skill in augury (the foretelling of events by the chattering and flight of birds), music, or archery. But he preferred to acquire a knowledge of herbs for service of cure in sickness; and, armed with this knowledge, he saved the life of Aeneas when grievouslywounded by an arrow. He averted the hero's death by applying theplant "Dittany," smooth of leaf, and purple of blossom, as plucked on the mountain Ida. It is told in _Malvern Chase_ that Mary of Eldersfield (1454),"whom some called a witch," famous for her knowledge of herbs and medicines, "descending the hill from her hut, with a small vial of oil, and a bunch of the 'Danewort,(dwarf elderberry )' speedily enabled Lord Edward of March, who had just then heavily sprained his knee, to avoid danger by mounting his horse 'Roan Roland' freed from pain, as it were by magic, through the plant-rubbing which Mary administered." In Shakespeare's time there was a London street, named Bucklersbury (near the present Mansion House), noted for its number of druggists who sold Herb Simples and sweet-smelling herbs.We read, in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", that Sir John Falstaff mocked the effeminate fops ( one whose ambition is to gain admiration by showy dress and pertness ) of his day as "Lisping ( to speak with a lisp) hawthorn buds that smell like Bucklersbury in simple time."
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