Page:Best Mode of Increasing Medical Knowledge in CT (1795).djvu/19

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for completing a work of such vast Magnitude and Importance. But some men of great natural Abilities, who have not had much Opportunity for acquiring Medical Knowledge whilst under the Care of their Masters, have afterwards, by procuring good Libraries and attending diligently to their Studies and Practice, become Skillful Practitioners whilst others again, who have had such an Education have, perhaps, by their Ignorance and neglect, destroyed the Lives of their fellow mortals!

Some Practitioners have had better Libraris than that kept by Dr. Triumphant; and they have spent more time in Instructing their Pupils; but when all this has been done, many things have been wanting, such as Anatomical Demonstrations, Chymical Experiments, etc. Although the Physicians in America commonly Practise Physic, Surgery, and Midwifery; and especially in Country Townships; yet they are considered in Europe, as distinct and separate Arts; and in some Places, he that Practises one of them, is not allowed to officiate in either of the other; and even the female midwives are obliged to live Seven years with some Experienced Practitioner, before they are permitted to Practise themselves. But in the Country, they commonly rush into Practice without the necessary Qualifications. These Regulations tend to make the Practisers more perfect in their several Professions, which is very commendable; for Quemque oportet esse peritum artis suxe. i.e. Every one ought to be skillful in his own trade: and if the same examples were more followed in this part of the world, it would raise the Medical Art to a higher Degree of Perfection.

Having thus Described the various