Notes on the Materia Medica of Nathan Smith *

Included in the curriculum of the Medical Institution of Yale College for the year 1814-15 was a course of lectures in the Therapy and Practise of Physic offered by Doctor Nathan Smith. Attendant upon these lectures was one Dan King, whose note-book summarizes Nathan Smith's views at that time with respect to the dassification of diseases, their symptomatology, and, to some degree, the modes of treatment which he believed most appropriate. Obviously, in King's notes there are ample opportunities for error and omission, but undoubtedly we can accept his statements as being a fair presentation. Many features presented by these notes would offer interesting subjects for study; for example, the manner in which Nathan Smith's classification of disease processes correlates with the views prevailing at that time, or the outline of symptoms by means of which he characterized different conditions. Another topic of equal interest is that of the therapy recommended in these lectures, considered in the light of earlier statements to be found in various texts on Materia Medica, with respect to similar statements appearing in contemporary publications, and, finally, with regard to what subsequent experience has shown the value of these therapeutic agents to be. A survey of the various medicinal agents considered by Nathan Smith shows no less than 92 different principles recommended as of service in one complaint or another (see Table). It is true that some of the complaints are rather vague and, correspondingly, that some of the medicinal substances suggested are somewhat less than precise. It may also be mentioned that in some instances Doctor Smith makes his recommendations in a manner which suggests that his faith was not too firmly founded. To consider all of the agents and procedures in detail would be quite impossible, since the list is too comprehensive and is very varied. It is not without interest, perhaps, in view of the customs