% \A Preliminary Difcourfe concerning Anatomy 
r iched the world of old, than thole of Anatomy now have 
improved both Natural and Medical Science : Nor can 1 
tell how otherwife we can attain to that advice of the 
Oracle, yva&t twin*, but by Anatomy. Natures Synthe- 
tic Method in the compolure and ftruaure of Animal Bo- 
dies, is beft learn’t by this Analytic ; by taking to pieces 
this Automaton , and viewing alunder the leveral Parts, 
Wheels and Springs that give it life and motion. 
Phyfick certainly mull: acknowledge Anatomy its bell 
Cynolure ; and that Pilot muft needs err and wander, 
who without it, being ignorant of the various Seas and 
Coafts he foils in, fleers all in the dark and at random : 
or if poffibly it happens that fbmetimes he behalf into the 
defired Port or Haven ; yet he is to be efteemed more 
fortunate than skilful. The dilTeclion of Morbid Bodies af- 
fords the beft account of Difeafes ; and often indicates 
th o' cure in others : that of Sanous , informs us of the true 
texture and ufes of the parts. Both have their great ad- 
vantages, both ought with equal Care and Sollicitoulnels 
to be cultivated. But lince we muft know what is the 
right, before we can underftand the various deviations 
from that Rule ; great and laborious have been the Re- 
lerchesbothof the prefent and former Ages, for the at- 
taining this: But in nothing have their endeavours been 
more luccefsful than in making a comparative lurvey. 
Nature when more fhy in one, hath more freely con- 
feft and Ihewn herfelf in another ; and a Fly lometimes 
hath given greater light towards the true knowledge of 
the ftructure and the ufes of the Parts in Humane Bodies, 
than an often repeated diffedtion of the lame might have 
done. Hence it is that the great Improvers of this Learn- 
ing have digged lo much in thefe rich Mines, and have 
brought from thence lo vaft treafures ; though they are 
ftill fo far from exhaufting them, or proclaiming Nature’s 
Penury, that they cannot fufficiently extol her Bounty, or 
with too paffionate a Zeal lollicit a farther prolecution of 
fb great ‘a work.; which by their example and fuccels 
— ' -therein. 
