Anonymous

“ Many Medicines that were once in high repute in the cure of Diseases, are now laid aside, and the Methods of Practice, within the last twenty years, have been greatly altered in the European Countries, as well as in some Places in America: this Alteration has contributed much towards drawing the Practice of Physic into a smaller compass, the making of the Cure of Diseases more easy and certain and of course of raising the Medical Art to a higher Degree of Perfection. ”

“ For wherever a Physician has raised his fame by merit, or by Quackery, among the Ignorant multitudes of his Employers; some of them are commonly inclined to send their sons to him, to be instructed a year or two in the Medical Art: but if any of their other children are sent to learn to be carpenters, Taylors, or shoemakers: about seven years must be spent in learning the mysteries of those mechanical Arts. ”

“ 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! ”

“ The Clouds of Darkness and Ignorance which hover over the minds of many, who pretend to be Practitioners, in Physic, in consequence of the ridiculous Modes of Instruction in many parts of Our American Borders, makes your Question a Matter of very great Importance; and a rational Answer is a Subject highly worthy of the Attention of any Physician, who wishes to promote the Health and Happiness of his Fellow Mortals. I have travelled in some of the European Kingdoms, and in many parts of America: have been sundry times through Connecticut ”

“ But he who does not understand an Art or Science, is by no means fit to teach it to others; and therefore and Ignorant Physician is wholly unfit to become a Teacher, because he may lead his Pupils astray. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Now, wherever these Ancient Books are used by those who instruct Students in the noble Art of Medicine, both the Masters and the Pupils are led directly into Error; and when they have imbibed erroneous Opinions concerning the Administration, operation and Effects of Medicine upon the Human Body, they frequently augment, instead of alleviating the Distresses of their Fellow Mortals.
An Ignorant Physician is a dangerous Animal: He goes armed with the weapons of Life and Death ”

“ It is a very extensive and laborious task, to learn to be a good Physician; for the requisite Arts and Sciences are so comprehensive, that much time must be spent before a Student can be properly Qualified. ”

“ Great Humanity, and he soon finds Employment. If any Patient is murdered by his maleadministeration: he then Reports, that the Disease was so violent that it was impossible to conquer it by the most powerful medicines; and if by chance he cures a Patient ill of any dangerous Disorder, his fame rises immediately: he is highly extolled, and soon becomes very popular. ”

“ If the Pupil has not had learning before, this Study becomes very disagreeable: He does not understand the Technical terms, and, perhaps, has no body to Instruct him; for whether Dr. Triumphant is, or is not a man of Skill, he is very much hurried in his Business, being obliged to visit his Patients both Night and Day, and therefore cannot Instruct the Student. ”

“ If they cure the Patient, both of them are extolled as very eminent Physicians: but when the Imposter performs a cure alone, he has all the Praise to himself, and soon becomes so well established in his Profession, that he is esteemed fit to commence Doctor Maker, and in a few months is furnished by his Ignorant employers, with a Number of Pupils. ”

“ I do not pretend to dictate, for you have a Right to Govern your own Affairs, as you in your Wisdom may see fit. The attending of Judicious Lectures upon every Branch of Medicine, is of very great utility to Students, as I know by my own Experience, which is the best School-Master ”

“ In the Cities of Philadelphia, and New York, they have Colleges of Physicians where Eminent Professors read Lectures upon the various Branches of Learning. Hospitals are also erected in those Cities, where a variety of dangerous cases may be inspected; and by these Advantages Students in Physic are Educated in a Regular way and manner. ”

“ Some young men are sent to learn to be Physicians, who have had some learning, and others are sent directly from the plough, who can scarcely read, or even write their own Names, and thus the Doctor becomes furnished with Pupils. ”

“ But it has been observed, however, that if these People stand in need of the Assistance of a Sawyer, Carpenter, Blacksmith or Taylor, they will be very careful in chusing a good workman. O foolish People, and unwise! ”