INTRODUCTION, xv 
difcernment is lefs defective, but, whofe circumftances are fufficient, are 
equally made the dupes of “* the fecrets of trade.” Difeafe is prolonged, 
and nervous complaints brought on, by an exceffive or improper ufe of 
drugs, given for the purpofe of encreafing fees, or multiplying the items. 
of an apothecary’s bill. Yet thefe infatuated patients fhut their eyes 
againft the light of reafon, and {wallow every thing that is adminiftered 
| to them, without daring to afk the neceffity of the prefeription, or qua-: _ 
lity of the dofe. Implicit faith, which in every thing elfe is the object. 
of ridicule, is here held facred, though at the expence of our conftitu-- 
tions. Many of the faculty are no doubt worthy of all the confidence’ 
that can be repofed in them ; but, as this can never be the charaGter of 
every individual in any profeflion whatever, it would certainly be for. 
the fafety and honour of mankind, to have fome check upon the condu&: 
of thofe to whom we entrutt fo valuable a treafure as Health. 
Perfons who move in a middling fphere of life too often become: 
objects of fimilar impofition, The nature of their avocations, and the ° 
attentions requifite for bufinefs, beget infirmities, which, though eafily 
removed by change of air and fimple regimen, are frequently encreafed - 
by irritating drugs, until the conftitution receives a fhock: too violent : 
for medicine to reftore. The lower orders of fociety, however, and 
particularly the poor, are not expofed to this danger. Their-misfor- 
tunes arife from an unfeeling inattention and neglect on the. part of thofe 
who are called to their afliftance; but by whom they are frequently 
left either wholly deftitute of advice and of medicines, or are obliged to 
put up with fuch as it would be much more prudent to avoid. How 
opie ee then oe penal knowledge prove to men — 
epee. 
to Soutien: and to avoul the ee peculiar to their refpective ftations, 
but | vould enable them to difcern the real enjoyments of life, and be Z 
conducive to the true — of mankind, 
