The Taleef Shereef, Or Indian Materia Medica

Book excerpt: Khan was a Sunni physician of some importance at the end of the 18th century who served as physician to the Moghul emperor Shak Alam II (ruled 1759-1806) and possibly also to his son Akbar II. He was responsible for introducing aspects of the new science current in Europe in his day and was the author of works in Persian and Arabic, including this dictionary of Indian drugs. This English translation by a superintending surgeon in the Bengal service with over 25 years experience of medical practice in India was published in 1833. Readers should be aware that the book is reprinted for historical interest only and should under no circumstances be construed as offering current medical advice.