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PREFACE.

Something relating to the following work hasbeen on my mind for twenty years past.

In my younger days I made a few memorandumsand receipts; but finding as I advanced in readinga little on physic, and conversing with my friendswho were physicians, that far the greatest part ofthem were trivial, I omitted making many more.However, having an insatiable taste and constantdesire for relieving the afflicted and diseased, Ihave still been trying my hand from my youth up, andI am now in my sixtieth year.

My father, old Hezekiah Smith, of Jersey, wasalways, since I could remember him, a home old man,or Indian Doctor, with whom, in my raising, Icontracted ideas, practice and experience, that havenever left me.

There are a few things I wish to state in mypreface.

I acknowledge the kindness of my friends in themedical profession, in every place where I havelived for forty years past, and I must acknowledgethat I am conscious I shall transgress a little inpublishing their communications without their ex-press leave: but I console myself by recollecting,that great minds are generally liberal.

About thirty years ago I called on old Dr. Wilkey,a German, who had been in the business of his pro-fession, in the Flanders wars. He proposed to me tospend a few days with him, to instruct me in someknowledge which he had gained in his long life, andwhich he regretted should die with him : especially to

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