METHOD OF STUDY. 4,37 



This, therefore, is our first and principal argument for the 

 study of theory in its whole extent, that there is no examining 

 the theory of any single part or action, without examining its 

 relation to others ; and where that relation lies, nobody can 

 know, but from a study of the whole ; which is farther recom- 

 mended by this, that the study of the whole is the surest means 

 of discovering the errors in particulars. 



Another argument for the same, is, that there is a similarity 

 between several functions, and by knowing one we can, by anal- 

 ogy, very often safely apply that knowledge to another. 



A third argument to the same purpose, is, that as the" theory 

 of an animal body requires often an acute and subtle reasoning, 

 there is no becoming dexterous in this without a frequent exer- 

 cise of it in all the different circumstances in which it may be 

 applied. 



The fourth and last argument I shall mention is this : If the 

 empiric system of physic were so tolerably complete as seldom to 

 require assistance from the dogmatic, I should readily agree to 

 the neglecting of this altogether. But as that is not the case, 

 and it can be demonstrated that an empiric plan at present can 

 give only a very limited or a random and dangerous practice, 

 and that therefore the demands of assistance are necessary and 

 must be frequent, so there is hardly any man so well determin- 

 ed in rejecting dogmatism as, on such occasions, not to have re- 

 course to it. In the course of a large and long acquaintance 

 with practitioners, I have never met with one who could resist 

 it. But see what is the consequence of this : When a man un- 

 prepared and unexercised, and occasionally only, attempts the 

 theory of physic, he can form only crude and random conjec- 

 tures, that can be no better nor less dangerous than random ex- 

 periments. If this, therefore, be true, that where experience 

 fails, every man will have recourse to theoretical conjectures, 

 even on this account is the extensive study of theory necessary. 

 It is only by this that the real assistance it affords can be obtain- 

 ed ; and it is only by the same thorough acquaintance with, and 

 frequent exercises of it, that the abuses of it can be prevented. 

 The theory of physic has often been erroneous ; it is still, in 

 many parts, weak and imperfect ; but it is only a person well 

 acquainted with the whole that can properly discern the faults 



