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as far as the circumstances of this place admit? I profess myself open to conviction, and shall allow due weight to every reasonable argument that may be opposed to my plan. When I am rationally convinced that I have been in an error, I shall readily acknowledge and retract my sentiments, which I hope, till then, I may be allowed to continue, without being charged with an innovating spirit.
What remains yet to be done is to endeavour to elucidate a few passages, which have been thought exceptionable in the discourse by particular persons.
In some paragraphs, the opinions and practice of the faculty of physic in this place have been thought to have been too indiscriminately condemned.
Far be it from me to merit this charge, or to have entertained sentiments derogatory from a set of gentlemen, many of whom I rank amongst my principle friends in the city, and highly esteem tor their integrity and abilities in their profession, to which they do great honour. To have made a nominal distinction was never my design. It cannot therefore in justice be imputed to me as a fault to have avoided, all I could, every thing which had the least appearance of particularity, and to have endeavoured to suggest an improvement of practice, without aiming at practitioners.
