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A Brief Comment on the Doctrine of Signatures Richard Penrose Schmidt As the cultures of modern civilization developed in recorded history , humans struggled to relate themselves to the various parts of the universe and to the other living things that inhabit it. Scientific knowledge advanced slowly and, often, those who reached conclusions from observations rather than revelation or authority were persecuted because what they saw and thought contradicted established beliefs. Galileo, who observed that the universe does not behave in the manner supposed by those who allowed religious dogmas to restrict their thought rather than liberate it, suffered for his daring. In medicine, Hippocrates was one whose authority could not safely be challenged. His ideas, advanced for his day, subsequently hardened into unquestioned orthodoxy. In addition to the well-known theory of humors associated with his name —a four-part typology into which humans were divided on the basis of specific physical characteristics— Hippocratic medicine also included the Doctrine of Signatures. According to this doctrine, cures for human ills were divinely revealed in nature, often through plants. Variations of this doctrine also developed independently among various cultures and continue today in many nontechnological societies. The "signature" is God's message indicating the disease or part of the body to be treated. This message may be found variously in the plant's color or shape, or in its place or mode of growth, or in its toxic effect. Thus, an extract of the stinging nettle is used for urticaria, or a plant with a yellow flower for the treatment of jaundice. As we reflect upon this doctrine, perhaps we can see in it the origin of some modern thoughts and practices or bits of the processes by which Hahnemann invented homeopathy. And perhaps we may also see something of our own uses of drugs, particularly their frequent placebo effects on both patients and physicians. One plant, ginseng, its root fancifully humanoid, has long been a remedy for all forms of mental and physical debility and is especially valued for its aphrodisiac and rejuvenescent properties. It has been said Literature and Medicine 1 (Rev. ed., 1992) 53-54 © 1992 by The Johns Hopkins University Press 54 BRIEF COMMENT ON THE DOCTRINE OF SIGNATURES that all the ginseng of China was once made the personal property of the emperor! Native Americans similarly discovered the reputed therapeutic value of native ginseng. And French explorers of the Syracuse, New York, region discovered not only the salt mines near Onondaga Lake but native ginseng literally worth its weight in gold in the China trade. Nowadays ginseng tea is commonly purchased in health-food stores. We still depend primarily upon plants for many of our most useful drugs. Of course, we now determine their chemical structures and study their biological transformations, absorption, excretion, and therapeutic mechanisms. We subject them to synthetic modifications and determine their therapeutic values by double-blind, controlled clinical trials, often using rigid protocols in multiple centers. Fleming was not searching for a magic signature when he discovered that the mold Pénicillium notatum inhibited the growth of bacteria in culture. Or was the clear zone around the growth of bread mold contaminating his culture plates a "divine signature" in modern dress? The black-and-white illustrations on the following pages have been reproduced from the colorplates that originally appeared in volume 1 of Literature and Medicine.—Eo. Figure 1. Cypnpedium acaule. Stemless lady-slipper. Many are surprised that orchids are native to New York State. The "signature" of the orchid also supplies its name. The underground parts may resemble the testicle (orchis). Obviously to be used for male sexual problems. Figure 2. Hepática acutiloba. Hepática or liverleaf. One of our most loved spring wildflowers . Leaves have three lobes and those that winter over are liver-colored. Could there be a better message to tell us its value for liver ailments? Figure 3. Eupatorium perfoliatum. Boneset or thoroughwort. The "signature" is not obvious . A large, rough plant growing in moist areas and reaching anthesis in late summer. Widely praised by early-nineteenth-century physicians for the "intermittents," miasmic fevers and the ague. Was used extensively for the "Tyler Gripes" in 1841-42...

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