Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/17

Rh the Practice of Physick, is not in my Judgment difficult to determine.

''A competent Knowledge of Chymistry, as well as Anatomy and Botany, are very requisite and beneficial; but to enter into the minute Recesses of Nature by chymical Pursuits, and with great Expence and Application to endeavour to be an Adept, and a Person of Distinction, is by no means desirable. Every one should be discouraged from such Researches and long Labour in the Fire, by the Example of that valuable and excellent Person, the Honourable Mr. Boyle, a curious and indefatigable Searcher into Nature, who by all his chymical Toyl and Lucubrations, has for the Service of Physick and Cure of Diseases produced only a little Collection of Remedies and Receipts sold for twelve Pence, but too dear. It is very observable, that all the prevalent Medicines that serve the greatest Part of the Purposes of the Profession, namely, Steel, Mercury, Opium, and the Peruvian Bark, are more efficacious and successful, when they have not undergone any chymical Operation, but are used as Nature formed them: And as to Cordial Waters, Tinctures, and Spirits, they signify little for the Cure of Diseases, as all experienced and judicious Physicians must'' know,