442 MEDICINES. 



though the philosopher tells you, that every man, 

 before he attains the age of forty, must be either a 

 fool or his own physician ; yet the doctor, in answer, 

 affirms, that he who knows a little of physic, knows 

 a great deal too much ! This point I leave for the, 

 philosopher and the doctor to settle between them- 

 selves ; but I trust they will both agree with me, 

 that there can be no more impropriety in suggesting a 

 few common medicines, with which proper directions 

 would be given by the person who sells them, than 

 in entering any other kind of inventory of what 

 might be useful to a young sportsman, or young 

 traveller. All our sporting authors have boldly taken 

 the field, so far as amply to prescribe for the dog ; 

 while I am left exposed, under ^Esculapian batteries, 

 by having to prescribe for the master. 



A BOTTLE, OR PAPER OF MAGNESIA. 



As a generally recommended cure for the heart- 

 burn, by correcting acid on the stomach ; a trifling 

 preventive to the gout ; a pretty good aperient me- 

 dicine, particularly if taken with acid, which gives it 

 somewhat the effect of Epsom salts ; and a very good 

 medicine when mixed with rhubarb, which counteracts 

 its coldness on the stomach. 



(For correcting acid, however, / always prefer the use of salt 

 of tartar ; but this, I believe, is not the general custom. I 

 merely speak of it as I find it.) 



