The Ceylon moss : communications read to the Royal Medico Botanical Society, by Geo. G. Sigmond.

Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Ceylon moss : communications read to the Royal Medico Botanical Society, by Geo. G. Sigmond. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    1/4
    THE CEYLON MOSS. COMMUNICATIONS READ BEFORE THE ROYAL MEDICO BOTANICAL SOCIETY BY GEO. G. SIGMOND, M.D., F.L.S., &C. [Renshaw, 356, Strand.] The brilliant discoveries of scientific men daily increase the wealth and the riches of our country, and demand from ug a tribute of admi- ration and respect, not less do the observations of inteilij^ent men, that lead to the diffusion of comfort atyd enjoyment amongst all classes of the community, deserve their share of’ gratitude and reward. Amongst the useful and valuable importations which have been lately made into this country i? the Ceylon Moss, which was observed by Mr. Brevity to be extensivi^Iy used amongst the natives of Ceylon as a jelly. Struck with its good effects upon those who bad employed it during a long series of years, he determined to ascertain its bene- ficial effects, and when thoroughly convinced of its utility, to intro- duce it into British India, where he was then resident. The analysis of the celebrated Dr. O. Shaughnessy and the experience of a number of the first medical men in Calcutta, confirmed him in his views of its powerful effects as a restorative upon, the human frame. On his return to England he was anx’ous to have its powers still further investigated, and therefore placed the subject be- fore the Royal Medico Botanical Society, where it was warmly taken up by Dr. Sigmond, whose labours in the examination of every vegetable substance upon health and upon disease have long been held in high estimation by the profession and by the public. Dr, Sigmond entered upon the consideration of all the points connected with this sea weed with much minuteness, and after an elaborate in- vestigation of the powers and effects which it produced, furnished the society with the results of which the volume before us contains the-' matter most important to the public. It is dedicated to the highly gifted president Earl Stanhope, in a manner that cannot but be agreeable to one who has taken such a warm interest in the study of medical botany. Dr. Sigmond observes— “ The subject with which I have ventured to associate your lord- sli jo’s name is the introduction of a new remedial agent, which I hope will be deemed of sufficient interest and importance to warrant the use of a nam?,* never pronounced but with blessings by the poor, and with expressions (?f respect by the good.” Dr. Sigmond, in hib^ preface, thus explains the manner in which the Ceylon Moss was introduced to his notice_ ” The attention of Mr. Previt^; during a residence in the island of Ceylon, was accidentally directed io the uses made by the natives of a moss found on the sea shore. He found that it was extensively employed in the arts and for culinary purpCtses ; he was led to a mi- nute examination of its properties, and upon observing how nutri- tious were its powers, he determined to place it in the hands of some of the most eminent of the faculty in Calcutta, by whom it was intro- duced ftito practice, and where, for upwards of fifteen years, it oh. tained the sanction of all those who had become familiar with its uses. Mr. Previt^ submitted to my examination in the year 1837 a speci- men of Ceylon Moss, which he had just imported into this country, and for which he requested the attention of the Royal Medico-Bota- nical Society. He placed in my hands the certificates of several most distinguished inedical men residing at Calcutta, which spoke warmly in favour of the medicinal and dietetic properties of jelly, and of pre- parations formed from it. He likewise pointed out to me the ana- lysis which had been made by Dr. O’Shaughnessy, a physician of high and deserved reputation, and professor of chemistry to the College of Calcutta. I recommended Mr. Brevity to lay these documents, with his mode of preparation, before the society in the form of a letter, to be read at one of its meetings. In compliance with the wish I exprsssed, he drew up a paper, which was read June 28th, it excited considerable interest. It was directed by the council of the society that these documents should be printed in the forthcoming number Of the transactions, in order to draw the attention of the medical profession to the discovery of this important addition to our therapeutic agents.” He then proceeds to'lay.before the society his own remarks ;,on the uses of sea weeds :—