IMPROVEMENT OF PHYSIC. 205 



on the other hand the bear-berry has been 

 ncgledled, though an efficacious aftrin- 

 gent. The grafs of ParnaJfuSy and fun-dew j 

 have crept into the fhop by chance. The 

 carline thifile^ an excellent remedy in hy- 

 fleric complaints, is neglected. Thofe 

 poor wretched plants the vervains increafe 

 the number of officinals without any merit 

 of their own, and only fupported by the 

 teftimony of antiquity. 

 2. 

 The many theories and hyfothefes of phyftcians 

 that vary in every age. For men have been 

 vain enough to imagine that they knew the 

 immediate caufes of difeafes, the manner in 

 which medicines operate, and from their prin- 

 ciples have undertaken to deduce the vertues 

 of medicines. 



Formerly hot and volatile medicines were 

 ufed in acute diftempers. At prefent the 

 acid^ cooling, and diluting with bleeding are 

 recommended. Mufl: , ambergris, civet 

 were looked upon as moft efficacious in 

 eruptive fevers, now juft the contrary. 

 And thus yneadow-fweet, woodruff, mufk 

 cranes bill, may in their turn come into 

 credit, which now are fcldoni ufed for 



driv- 



