Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/158

 Art. So that if Hippocrates learn'd his Skill in Egypt, as it is pretended, the Egyptian Physicians afterwards took a very stupid Method to run upon imaginary Scents, so far as even to lose the Memory that they had ever pursued more rational Methods. Those that would be further satisfied of the Truth of this Matter of Fact, may find it abundantly proved in Conringius's Discourse of the old Egyptian Medicine (h).

But we are told, that there was a particular sort of Physick, used only amongst the Egyptian Priests, which was kept secret, not only from the Greeks that came into their Country for Knowledge, but from the Generality of the Natives themselves; wherein, by the Help of the Grand Elixir, they could do almost any thing but restore Life to the Dead. This Elixir, which was a Medicine made with the Philosophers Stone, was a Chymical Preparation: And if we may believe Olaus Borrichius (i), the Great and Learned Advocate of the Chymical and Adept Philosophers, was the Invention of Hermes, who was contemporary with Isis and Osiris, whose Age none ever yet determined. If these Claims are true, there is no Question but