[ 13 1 



alfo fleep in the fame bed with the nurfe during this 



operation. 



I HAVE thus fketched, in a hafty manner, the outhne of what 

 accident and fome refledion have fuggefted to me on a few 

 fubjeds, in my opinion not perfedly underftood. To thofe 

 who know me, hurry of bufmefs (in an irregular and fatigumg 

 profeffion) will apologize for many defeds. The pomts m 

 doubt regard a numerous clafs of the innocent and helplefs in 

 the community, who, when fxck, are too frequently entrufted 

 to the care of prejudiced old women, or of men not much 

 better qualified to pradice phyfic. I, therefore, entreat gentle- 

 men to enter difpaffionately into the inveftigation of the doubts 

 here fubmitted to their confideration. The alleviation of pain, 

 and the prolongation of human life, at a period of its greateft 

 frailty, are objeds furely not beneath the notice of any man ; 

 and as I pretend not to infallibility, the reader may be aflured 

 I fed as much interefted on this occafion to have error de- 

 tcBed as to have truth corifirmcd. 



