PREFACE. 1\ 



eradicate vulgar and habitual prejudices in favour 

 of ancient practice, or the improbability of recon- 

 ciling attachments of long standing to the rational 

 system ofmodern composition ; and the little chance 

 of exploding entirely the heterogeneous and incon- 

 sistent /(7nY/go so long in use/ universal satisfaction 

 is not to be expected, or approbation obtained. 

 But when a clear, open,, and candid comparison is 

 drawn by the more enlightened, between the accu- 

 mulation of contrarieties in the laboured prescrip- 

 tions *^' of Gibson and Bracken," with the indi- 

 gested observations of the more intelligent, tbough 

 less prolix and digressive, ^* Bartlet,'' the least 

 doubt is not entertained but every degree of favour 

 will be shevt^n to a system of practice founded on 

 reason, supported by experience, and justified by a 

 general knowledge of viedicines, their principles, 

 'properties, preparations^ and effects. 



To dispel the gloom of ignorance from the brow 

 of obstinacy would be a task of Herculean labour; 

 I therefore wave every idea of animadversion upon 

 the intuitive knowledge of those, who, wrapped up in 

 the warm and happy consolation of their own wis- 

 dom, never suffer their solid judgments to be warped 

 by the intrusion of new opinions; and proceed to 

 make the necessary remarks upon the qualifications 

 of those country practitioners who rank very high 



in ShLF-ESTlMATION. 



And buch observations as are rendered unavoid- 



