Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/336

 Medicines together. They own that Galenical Ways of preparing Drugs, anciently made use of in the Practice of Physick, are, in many Cases, not so valuable as Chymical ones. In short, though they pay a due Respect to the Writings of the Ancients; and in those Things where they find by their own Experience, that the Ancient Observations hold, follow their Directions; yet their constant Language, and as constant Practice, whensoever one opposes Ancient Authorities to them, is, That the Ancients did very well for their Time; but that Experience, and further Light, has taught them better Things. This, I must needs own, has very great Weight with me, who am apt, cæteris paribus, to believe every Man in his own Way; Physicians especially, because their Science is entirely got by a long Series of repeated Experiments and Observations: So that it seems to be almost impossible, but that, in all such Cases, where Men have the Assistance of former Light, and where the Subject upon which they employ their Pains wanted a great deal of that Perfection, which those that study it have an Idea of, as still wanting, and can only be attained by a longer Experience, successive Ages must make great Additions to the former Stock.