Page:A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America - John Morgan.djvu/26

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[ xviii ]

the purpose. After visiting the sick, do not their apprentices make up their prescriptions? I would ask, is not an apothecary thoroughly acquainted with the art of compounding and making up Medicines as skillful in it as an apprentice? Is not a man educated in the profession to be trusted in preference to one who is only learning that business? or has the master, who may be called from place to place to attend other cases of surgery, or see other patients, always time to wait for medicines to be made up under his eye?

These queries are easy enough for every one to decide upon, without being brought up to the study of physic. Will he not therefore do a worthy action, whoever shall steadily apply himself to remove the difficulties which are in the way of regular practice? Will he not do real service to his country and mankind, for the good effects of which posterity may thank him? Who then would hesitate to rank himself amongst the foremost class of those who shall be concerned in a work of such real benefit to the public?

Having thus fully explained the method I propose for practising physic in this place, I appeal to the impartial judgment of the public to decide upon the question. Is. it to be deemed an idle innovavation, or is it not rather an improvement of practice in Philadelphia, to adopt a plan conformable to what is observed in great Britain and all polished countries,