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In extenuation of those inaccuracies which must necessarily creep into a work like the present, embracing, as it does, so many subjects, the author is conscious that an apology is due to the public. All, however, that he will venture to say on this topic, is what Dr. Goldsmith has said, in his advertisement to the "Vicar of Wakefield,”—“ There are an hundred faults in this thing, and an hundred things might be said to prove them beauties. But it is needless. A book may be amusing with numerous errors, or it may be dull without a single absurdity."

PHYSIC AND PHYSICIANS.

CHAPTER I.

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CONTENTS.-Divine origin of Medicine-Medicine in EgyptHippocrates-Galen-Religion and Medicine-Learning and Usefulness of Medical Men-Dr. Parr's Opinion of the Profession-Pope's last Illness and Death-Medical Men not Irreligious-Antiquated Dress of the old Physicians-Ancient Barbarous Surgery-Reasons for not liking the study of the Law.

It is not our intention, however interesting the subject may be, to travel over the ground which has been so ably explored by the master minds of Friend, Le Clerc, Lettsom, Schulze, Hamilton, Moir, and Bostock. Were it necessary to write a history of medicine, we should have but little difficulty in effecting our object, assisted as we should be by the elaborate works of the above-mentioned authors. They have penetrated into the most secret recesses of ancient history, and have recorded, with a praiseworthy accuracy, the progress of opinion among the medical sages of antiquity.

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