192 ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



authentic and positive remedies we note as deficient; but 

 the business of supplying it is to be undertaken with great 

 judgment, and as by a committee of physicians chosen for 

 that purpose. 



And for the preparation of medicines; it seems strange, 

 especially as mineral ones have been so celebrated by chem 

 ists, though safer for external than internal use, that nobody 

 has hitherto attempted any artificial imitations of natural 

 baths and medicinal springs, while it is acknowledged that 

 these receive their virtues from the mineral veins through 

 which they pass; and especially since human industry can, 

 by certain separations, discover with what kind of minerals 

 such waters are impregnated, as whether by sulphur, vitriol, 

 iron, etc. And if these natural impregnations of waters are 

 reducible to artificial compositions, it would then be ill 

 the power of art to make more kinds of them occasion 

 ally, and at the same time to regulate their temperature 

 at pleasure. This part, therefore, of medicine, concerning 

 the artificial imitation of natural baths and springs, we set 

 down as deficient, and recommend as an easy as well as 

 useful undertaking. 



The last deficiency we shall mention seems to us of great 

 importance; viz., that the methods of cure in use are too 

 short to effect anything that is difficult or very consider 

 able. For it is rather vain and flattering, than just and 

 rational, to expect that any medicine should be so effectual, 

 or so successful, as by the sole use thereof to work any 

 great cure. It must be a powerful discourse, which, though 

 often repeated, should correct any deep-rooted and invet 

 erate vice of the mind. Such miracles are not to be ex 

 pected; but the things of greatest efficacy in nature, are 

 order, perseverance, and an artificial change of applications, 

 which, though they require exact judgment to prescribe, and 

 precise observance to follow, yet this is amply recompensed 

 by the great effects they produce. To see the daily labors 

 of physicians in their visits, consultations, and prescriptions, 

 one would think that they diligently pursued the cure, and 



