Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

virtues of opium he says ‘… but Galen, and divers others in the
former as well as in our times, have forbidden such medicines, as too
dangerous for the eyes, and even any other ways used inwardly, it is
not to be taken, but with good correction and great caution…’
Parkinson, who died in 1650, was the last of the great herbalists in
England.
Age of Reason or Enlightenment
1648 Simon Paulli, ‘Flora Danica’ 1648 ‘Among other herbs which are
poisonous and harmful, Henbane is not the least, so that the
common man, not without fear should spit at that herb when he
hears its name spoken, not to mention when he sees it growing in
great quantity where his children are running at play.’
1649 ‘A physicall directory’ or A translation of the London Dispensatory
made by the Royal College of Physicians in London by Nicholas
Culpeper, Gent. This small book has details of preparation, but no
mention of ADRs.
Hyoscyamus &c. Henbane, the white Henbane is held to be cold
but in the third degree, the black or common Henbane and the
yellow, in the fourth, they stupify the senses and therefore not to be
taken inwardly, outwardly applied they help inflamations, hot gouts,
applied to the temples they provoke sleep.’
1651 ‘Mataeotechnia medicinae praxeōs. The vanity of the craft of physick.
or, a new dispensatory. Wherein is dissected the errors, ignorance,
impostures and supinities 111 of the Schools, in their main pillars of
purges, blood-letting, fontanels 112 or issues, and diet, etc., and the
particular medicines of the shops. With an humble motion for the
reformation of the Universities, and the whole landscape of physick,
and discovering the terra incognita of chemistry by Noah Biggs. The
Marquess Spinetti had been sick with epilepsy but cure by Dr
Helmont. The College of Physicians on the following morning
prescribed him a scruple of white hellebore with as much aniseed.
Half an hour later he vomited. In vain implored the help of his
physician, being absent, accursed his murderers and saying “My
Helmont, You told me the physicians would kill me.” He held his
peace and after two hours his stomach first suffered a convulsion
and then his whole body, he dieth in a swound.’
111 Supinities = acts which are mentally or morally inactive
112 Fontanels = an outlet for body secretions