Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/338

 It is easie now to tell what Acquisitions have been made since Galen's Days. When Hippocrates lived, Anatomy was a rude, imperfect Thing: It has since been growing; and the Theories of all Diseases have been proportionably more compleat. Chymistry has been introduced into Physick; thereby the Materia Medica has been enlarged by some as noble Medicines as any the Ancients were acquainted with, the Nauseousness of many Medicines has been removed; and they have been made less clogging, and more efficacious, since they may be taken in lesser Quantities, and in more pleasant Vehicles; to as good, if not better purpose than before. Botanicks have been unspeakably enlarged; and thereby also the Dispensatories have been stocked with some excellent Remedies, that the old World was unacquainted with. If these Particulars be rightly stated, as they seem to be, they will go very far to decide the Question. And so I shall leave it, without determining any Thing positively about it.