12 



methods of cure appear consistent, accor- 

 ding to the laws of nature, without any of 

 that perplexity and contradiction occasion- 

 ed by setting up two opposite agents. And 

 any person will be convinced that the 

 power of vessels receiving such injuries, 

 and loaded with such burdens, cannot be 

 increased by any means the 'vis medicatrix 

 naturae can adopt, far less by a spasm which 

 adds to their burden. 



But nothing, perhaps, has tended more 

 to retard improvements and discoveries, 

 than the invention of words without a 

 meaning : because we are apt to refer any 

 thing we do not understand to these terms, 

 and thus, thinking we understand it, rest 

 satisfied without further investigation. 



So, in former times, every thing was re- 



