The PREFACE. v and more eafy to be procured from the prefent Stock of officinal Compofitions : But all thefe I fubmit to be complied with, or altered, as different Exigencies may require , or as better fudges may think fit. 1 find that fome general Directions on this Subject are liable to mtfconfiruBions, ejpe daily by fuch who are willing to under ft and things in a wrong Senfe ; by which means Difputes are raifed about the ufe <?f Alexipharmicks, Fumigations, Fires, and other general Topics, which have little other ^Foundation, than a, wilful mifapprehenfion ; for it cannot be ima- gine d^ that thefe are either good or bad in all C ir cum (lances ; but that they require the Conduct and Direction of able fudges, as particular Occasions or Symptoms demand cr forbid them. But of all the Excurfions and Particula- rities, in which fome are fond of indulging themfelveS) I cannot think any jo extravagant and blame able, as Hypothefes, and drawing Con- fequences of PraUice fro?n fuppofititious Princi- ples : The Theory of Medicine abhors any fuch delufory
