In fact, outside of the botanic field, oyster shell, graphite, lachesis, sepia, burnt sponge, and other "peculiar" remedies of sectarian medicine were also described in ancient and medieval books.
Verily, "there is nothing new under the sun." The medieval medical writings in Europe were numerous; but, again, it was a woman, Hildegarde (born 1108), of Bingen on the Rhine, who developed the botanic materia medica of her region and wrote a notable book. 3 Other women, somewhat later, whose names figure in botanic materia medica, were Mme. Mouffler, the Countess of Chinchon, and Mme. Chapelle. In medieval and pre-modern times, the men were so busy developing the dogmas of theology and medicine that they considered herbalism as beneath their notice; and the women, who conducted the hospitals of those days and did most of the obstetrical work, developed the useful details, leaving the profound theories for the men to fight over. Nevertheless, some masculine names were associated with materia medica from the chemical side, which does not involve this present study. Then, too, other men, in their writings, included botanic materia medica in the form of compilation from previous literature.
An examination of "The Pharmacopoeia Londinensis, A. D. 1682," revealed a content surprisingly botanical. The celebrated Dr. Thomas Sydenham gave much credit to botanic remedies, and his influence doubtless promoted their use. Writings in that day showed considerable use of indigenous plants, but comparatively little of value was written. Later writers of note in England,
3 "Liber Compositae Medicinae" and a later work of nine volumes.
