Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/33

Rh ''Knowledge in it is not conducive to the Service of Mankind, though a moderate one is, it being only the agreeable Amusement of contemplative Men of Leisure, so it is unserviceable to Men of our Profession, who are more concerned with Fluids than with Solids; and therefore I look upon it as an injudicious and vain Attempt for any Men in order to discover the Nature of Diseases, to apply the Compass to a depraved Mass of Humours, or endeavour to square the Circle of the Blood. Geometrical Skill is rightly employed about Bones, and Muscles, and other solid Parts of the animal Frame, which more eminently belong to the Surgeon's Province; but it cannot be so useful to the Physician, whose principal, though not entire Business, respects fluid Bodies. According to the Maxims laid down in the past Discourse, I have compiled the following Treatise, where I have advanced no Notions relating to the Nature, and no Method for the Cure of the Small-Pox, but what are founded upon, and are the Result of long Observation and Experience.''

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