Has there...

Has there, asked I, "ever been a time when the human race was in ignorance of knowledge ('ilm) and its benefits, in fact as senseless as this halila? "Why not? he replied, There must have been a time, when none was acquainted with medical science and its advantages. Knowledge was acquired. "How? When they were totally ignorant of science, how did they acquire it? "By experience and experiments, he said, "after considerable time. Whence came the idea of experimenting I asked.

"What made them think such thing made into medicine was beneficial to the human body, when the external form of these things appear hurtful, and some placed on the tongue are so bitter as to cause pain and uneasiness And how came they to the investigation of such medicinal plants that were totally unknown, and not recognized by their senses, for to demand an unknown thing is quite an impossibility and absurdity? "Experience led to the investigation, he said, and invention of the medical science.

"Well, said I, "tell me who invented it, or who described the nature and effects of the herbs used, when some grow far west and some others far east.

Do you not sensibly feel that the person who did so, was one who inhabited the places where they grew." Yes, he said, and what a wise man he was, for he has drawn every other man to his side to agree with his conclusions, If you wish to abide by your promise to me, and give justice to the truth, tell me how that man-the inventor came to know the nature of every medicinal plant.

Let us suppose he got himself acquainted with all the medicinal plants in his village, or even the whole of Persia; but can you suppose that he continued his researches and investigations allover the world and tasted every fruit, leaf and root to test their qualities from the effects on himself?

Can you suppose even with the help on other wise persons that he was able to fully acquaint himself with the plants growing in Persia alone, studying with his senses those plants that his senses did not recognize; nothing their peculiarities and importance or non-importance of the botany of Persia, how came they to know that such and such herb was useless, unless the prescription.

included the halila from India, gum mastich from Rome, musk from Tibet, cinnamon from China, willow from Turkey, opium from Egypt, aloes from Yemen, salt peter from Armenia and various other articles from different parts of the world, which mixed and pounded together make a particular medicine.