And yet nevertheless, the Profession of Physick (though arrived to much greater Improvement than before) it’s Dignity and Degrees are so despicably fallen, that the very lowest of People, as well Women as Men, usurp the Title; and how monstrous it is to see that Mob of Empericks, as Barbers, Farriers, and Mountebanks, over-reach and bubble the People both of their Lives and Money.
As I would not arrogate to my self the Performance of another, I must not here forget to acknowledge that I have borrowed from the judicious Author of a late excellent Discourse concerning some few Passages of the State of Physick, and the Regulation of it’s Practice. I suppose it will be easily imagined, that I could have spoken the same Things in other Words; but my Respect to the Memory of that worthy Person, disposes me to believe, they will sound better, and be more effectual in his own Language.
The following Appendix receiv’d it’s Birth in Answer to some the most formidable of the many Pamphlets that were crowded upon the People at the first Report we had of the miserable State of the Marseillians by the Plague; which had not been but for the same plausible End, of being serviceable to the Nation, by detecting their Errors, and setting aside the clashing Opinions of those Literati, which has rather given Alarm, than a Security to the People.
To conclude: If in speaking the Truth there is no Blame, but rather Commendation, I then need not Apologise for the Freedom I’ve used, in exploding the great Varieties and Abuses in both the Theory and Practice of Physick. And although the Attempt should not answer equal to the good Intention I’ve had for the Publick; yet I shall demand that Justice of the World, and with Horace,
Quod Verum atque decens, curo, & rogo, & omnis in hoc sum.
