Xvi P R E F A C P:. 



become bold in proportion to the danger, fo 

 according to the exigency, fome powerful 

 *' Mandragord' of the '' Materia Medicci" is 

 inflantly procured i and, as reputation miift be 

 fupponed, fo '* kiilor cure,'' (time out of mind 

 the ancient and modern medical motto) is 

 compulfively adopted, and the whole arcana 

 of equeftrian knowledge is let loofe, from the 

 very fimple preparation of '^ fugar fopSy' to the 

 more remote, aftive, and dangerous mercury, 

 till relief is fortunately obtained, or the falling 

 favourite expires, in tortures, a martyr to the 

 ignorance of the praBitioner and the credulity 

 of its owner I 



To corroborate this fad one felf-evldent ob* 

 fervation only is neceffary to give it due weight, 

 in oppofition to a mind even prejudiced againft 

 the INNOVATIONS of improvement in pradice 

 or reflilication in judgment. For inftance— Is 

 it poffibic— can it (after a moment's reflexion) 

 be fuppofed — that thefe men, totally unculti- 

 vated in underftanding and the mod common 

 occurrences in life,\vhofe minds are as rude and 

 uncivilized as their manners, can be at all con- 

 verfant or acquainted with, the different pro- 

 J^ertieSy qualities^ operations or effe^Sy of a long 



iiii 



