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works of good chymists and good naturalists extant, and that from those a sufficient system of information on this important head may be compiled. To compile with judgement requires as much knowledge of the subject as to write well upon it. No man is qualified to execute this to advantage, who is not able to have written what he borrows. Even the best and most authentic books on these subjects have their errors, most of them too many; and while he who is himself deficient in the knowledge of the subject, cannot but be liable to take in these with the rest, it is evident what sort of dependance ought to be placed on his collections."
Whatever anatomical skill a man may boast, yet if he is ignorant of the virtues of Medicines, or of their changes from differently compounding them together, or knows not what are the true indications in the cure, or relief of diseases, he may value himself for expertness in dissection, but every sensible man will hold him cheap as a physician.
Nobody, who is anxious to be skillful in the divine art of healing, will be a niggard of the necessary trouble and expence of rendering himself intelligent in every thing his profession requires he should know. Whoever is sparing of these has no cause of complaint, if he is rewarded only according to his merit, unless
