Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/177

 Moment the Dieae is entered at one Door, the Phyician hould be introduced at the other; what ele is meant by that old Adage: Venienti occurrite Morbo? “Oppoe a Ditemper at its firt Approach.” Thus the Doctor and the Dieae meet in a fair and equal Conflict; whereas, by giving Time to the latter, we often uffer him to fortify and entrench himelf, like a French Army; o that the learned Gentleman finds it very difficult, and ometimes impoible to come at the Enemy. Nay ometimes by gaining Time, the Dieae applies to the French military Politics, and corrupts Nature over to his Side, and then all the Powers of Phyick mut arrive too late. Agreeable to thee Obervations was, I remember, the Complaint of the great Doctor Miaubin, who ued very pathetically to lament the late Applications which were made to his Skill: Saying, ‘Bygar, me believe my Pation take me for de Undertaker: For dey never end for me till de Phyicion have kill dem.’

Mr. Allworthy’s Ditemper, by Means of this Neglect, gained uch Ground, that when the Increae of his Fever obliged him to end for Aitance, the Doctor at his firt Arrival hook his Head, wihed he had