Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/12

viii ''But it must be acknowledged that a great Number of Persons, that are designed for this useful Profession, for want of native Genius, Judgment, and Penetration, are uncapable of making just Observations, or drawing right and beneficial Conclusions from them. Their Heads, such is their Unhappiness, are so thick and hairy, so heavy and slow is their Apprehension, and so incorrigible their Stupidity, that they are perpetually puzzled and cannot but with great Difficulty and Pains make any Thing out. When they undertake a Patient, they are bewildred and in a Wood, and being unable to strike out their Way, when they attack a Disease they discharge a random Pill, or play off an unprofitable or hurtful Bolus at a Venture. When I reflect on the great Number of these unfortunate Men, especially in Country Towns and Villages, that enter upon a difficult Profession, in which for want of Sagacity, and good Sense required on Nature’s part, they are unable to succeed, and are likely to be more detrimental than beneficial to their Patients, of whom they serve those best, whom they visit least; and when I confider likewise the Swarms of Empericks and ignorant Pretenders to the Knowledge of Physick, and compare them with the few, that'' are