Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/13

Rh ''are endowed with suitable Qualifications for the Cure of Diseases, I am doubtful whether the whole Faculty might not be spared without any Damage to Mankind in general. It is true that Courts and populous Cities are happy in this, that there are among them many learned, able and worthy Physicians, to whom the Sick may have recourse: But how small is their Number, when compared with all the weak and ignorant Doctors, Quacks and Mountebanks, that abound not only in the Country Towns and Villages, but likewise in great Cities themselves? and then setting the Damages and Mischiefs, that arise from the Ignorance and Unskilfulness of such Practisers, against the Good, that is done by the Judicious and Skilful, I am afraid that the last will be much over-balanced. Nature would struggle hard and do a great deal towards the Relief of many Distempers, where a proper Diet is used; would not confident Undertakers without Knowledge and Judgment, interpose their impertinent and noxious Medicines, by which they pervert the wholsome Operations of Nature, oppress her Strength, and by their ill-chosen Remedies put a curable Disease beyond all hopes of Recovery.'' Rh