Page:A Treatise upon the Small-Pox.pdf/14

This page has been validated.
x
The PREFACE.

A native Genius and Capacity accompanied with a competent Degree of Learning, must conspire to make an accomplished Physician, but if these are separated, the first improved by Experience is far preferable to the last: A Man by Nature dull and unanimated, let his Head be ever so much stuffed and crowded with old Authors, scholastick Ideas, and Common-Place Collections, will never acquire any tolerable Qualifications for the Profession of Physick. It was the Saying, as I have been informed, of Col. Titus, That Learning was fit Armour for a strong Man, but that it oppressed and crushed a weak one. I believe the Remark is just; for a great deal of reading and crude and undigested Notions huddled together without Coherence, not only fit very awkwardly about a sleepy and spiritless Scholar, but they overwhelm and confound him to that Degree, that he is unable to Use them to any beneficial Purpose: On the contrary, for want of Skill and Prudence, he is very likely to do great Harm and Mischief; for Medicines are Weapons, that cannot be trifled with less Danger in the Hands of a Fool, than a Madman. Men of a ready Apprehension, clear Reason, and distinguishing Judgment, cultivated and improved by Practice and Business,

will