The compleat herbal of physical plants: containing all such English and foreign herbs, shrubs and trees, as are used in physick and surgery : and to the vertues that are now in use, is added one receipt or more, of some learned physician : the doses or quantities of such as are prescribed ... are proportioned : also directions for making compound-waters, syrups ... and other sorts of medicines : moreover, the gums, balsams; oils, juices which are sold by apothecaries and druggists, are added to this herbal, and their virtues and uses are fully described.
London : Printed for R. and J. Bonwicke, 1707. 2nd ed. "with the addition of many physical herbs, and their vertues."
[8], 349 [i.e. 411], [29] p. ; 16 cm.

Call no.: QK41 .P4 1707

A physician and medical writer from London, John Pechey (1655-1716) absorbed his era's interest in material medica while a student at New Inn Hall, Oxford. Originally published in 1694, Pechey's The compleat herbal of physical plants asserts its affinity with the great naturalist John Ray, but the text is clearly pitched to the general English practitioner, not just the specialist, and is available to those ignorant of Latin. It pointedly omits those English plants "that every Women knows, or keeps in her Garden."

Pechey is also known for popular works on midwivery, the diseases of children and women, and for his translation of the works of Thomas Sydenham.