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Show (f the body. 240 94] Pyreticu‘s. Meanwhile, it will be some satisfaction to burthened with literature, might think it no have given a plan for stifling, in their birth, unwise plan to put such a work, in selfudefence, some of those epidemic errors, which issue from the schools and become more destruc- into the hands of their medical a tendanta The work, though published with the most rigid (economy, must still be costly. No bookseller, I believe, will engage in it, unless satisfied that the sale. would form an exception to that of medical books in general. The undertaking would require many subornate hands, but these should be subject to one controul. The editor, however, would be un- worthy of his office, if he did net invite con- tributions and counsel from all quarters. For myself, were the office propased to me, I might yield a reluctant assent-mot to the nature of the employment but to the utiiity of the. object, I may know where the materials, in great measure, are to be found. As facts are not to be had pure and as it will be often impossible to separate them from suppositions, it must be of use to explain what was the philosophy of the time and to what school the observer belonged. This office, if any, Iwould undertake-with the selection (for we cannot comprehend all) and the general disposition. But indolent approbation would not satisfy me. I should require, and so certainly would the booksellers-i a spirit of cordiality in the public. For my‘ self, I can dispense with the collection as well many ol'my brethren. Meanwhile; tive, more inveterate and extensive in their range than any epidemic diseases, the chance of being considered in other countries and other ages. Wherever it is executed, it will furnish a work for the whole earth, which we mortals inhabit; and he who should exe- cute it well, would entitle himself to a civic crown from the growth of all its zones. |