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Having assign'd this cause, he endeavours from thence to deduce all the Appearances and Symptomes peculiar to this Disease, and suggests that upon their ground it ought to be the main intention of the Physitian, to remove such Qbstructions, and to strengthen the Nerves: subjoining a general method for curing this Infirmity, and specifying the principal remedies, both Internal and External, to be used therein, among which he chiefly recommends the spirits of Sal Armoniack, Harts-horne, Blood, Urine, Soot, as such, that by the high volatility and subtleness of their parts are able to dislodge those Obstructions, which cause this Disease.
IN this Discourse are chiefly perform'd these Two things. First, The Interest of the Patient, in reference to Physick and Physitians, is soberly debated. And here, the Patient: being they, who are most highly injur'd by the unwarrantable practises of those, that are in this Tract accused, the Author represents, that, although many intelligent persons among the People are sufficiently sensible of the Abuses, here manifested, and that it is of absolute necessity, some reformation be made; yet all are not thus perswaded, since we may daily observe, that many, who are lets discerning, being deceiv'd by an Imaginary good, covet unawares their own ruine; and unless they be given to understand, which is the Evil and which the Good, by persons in whom they have reason to confide, they must necessarily run much hazard. The Author therefore hath here endeavour'd to undeceive them, discovering both the many inconveniences, they are lyable to, and the many things, whereof most Aapothecaries are highly guilty, as Carelessness, Unskilfulness, Unfaithfullnes son the one hand, and Intrusion into the Physitians Imployment (the Practise of Physick) on the other: on all which accounts, he thinks, he hath demonstrated they are exceedingly injurious to the Publick.
In order to the Prevention of such intolerable Abuses of the People he makes this Proposal, That Physicians prepare and dispence their own Medicins, and shews at large, that the Advantages of such a Constitution will be many and great: As, that it will much abate the Expence of Physick; and the Medicins themselves will be more sate and effectual, than now they are, Interest obliging Physitians to have their Physick as good, as they can contrive or prepare; and that such a state of Physick of all other cannot but be most definable, wherein No Man having the Interest, can have the Power, nor any having the Power, can have the Interest to prepare Medicins unfaithfully; wherein had men shall ne made good, and the good never be tempted to become dishonest: So that, if the Sick have regard either to profit or safety, they will address themselves to those Persons, who supply them with the best of Remedies, and at cheapest rates.
Secondly, As to Physitians, the Author tells them, that they must necessarily put their Affairs into some such method, as is here commended, if they
