Fourteen years have elapsed since this work, in an elementary form, was first issued for the use of the District Vaccinators of Travancore, whose sphere of action was far removed from regular medical aid. It was originally published in English and Tamil on opposite pages; subsequently it was reprinted in Tamil alone by the London Missionary Society's Press at Nagercoil, for the use of the catechists and others connected with that Mission. In 1868, a Malyalim translation, by Dresser Ramswammy Rajoo, was issued by the Travancore Government. From reports received from various quarters, there is reason to believe that the work has enjoyed a wide circulation amongst the people of Travancore and Tinnevelly, and that it has exercised a considerable influence on the practice of the native doctors of those districts. Were I wise, I ought, perhaps, to rest satisfied with these results, which far exceed what were originally contemplated; but recent observation has convinced me that there are other classes scattered through our great Indian possessions to whom a work of the kind would prove most acceptable, by pointing out to them the agents—either purchasable in the bazaars at an almost nominal price, or procurable at the cost of collection, from the road-sides, waste places, or gardens in the immediate neighbourhood of almost every out-station—by means of which, with the exercise of ordinary intelligence, they may often be enabled to relieve the sufferings of those amongst whom their lot has been cast. And at the head of these classes stand the Missionaries, whose stations, for the most part, are too far removed from the busy haunts of men to allow of their calling in regular medical aid in cases of sickness, and who are consequently thrown, at such times, very much on their own resources. Many of the missionaries have under their charge large establishments of catechists, pupils, &c.; and it cannot be otherwise than highly desirable that they should be put in possession of any information regarding the available means of relieving the sufferings, and treating the diseases, of those placed under their care. This is not the place to enter into a disquisition on missionary work, but I cannot refrain from expressing my firm conviction that the more the principle of Medical Missions—making Religion and Medicine go hand in hand—is carried out, the greater, humanly speaking, will be the success of missionary efforts. How many a door for the admission of Gospel truth, which would otherwise be shut, would be opened, and that readily, to one who, with "the glad tidings of great joy" in the one hand, would bring in the other the means of relieving physical suffering and curing bodily disease! The highest distinction that I would claim for this little work is, that it may constitute, as far as India is concerned, a Missionaries' Medical Vade Mecum.