A 

DISCOURSE 

O  N  T  H  E 

DUTY 

O  F 

PHYSICIANS; 

DELIVERED  AT  THE 

Anniversary  of  the  Medical  Society, 
On  Thurfday,  January  18,  1776. 

B  Y 

J  O  H  N  M  I  L  L  A  R,  M.  D. 

Publijhed  by  Order  of  the  Society . 

LONDON: 

Printed  for  J.  JOHNSON,  N'72,  St.  Paul’s  Church  Yard,  * 
By  H.  Hart,  Crane-Court,  Fleet-Street  j 
PRINTER  to  the  S  O  C  I  E  T  Y. 

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(  Hi  ) 

PREFACE. 

THIS  Dilcourfe  was  delivered  be¬ 
fore  an  affembly  of  Medical  Gen¬ 
tlemen,  and  though,  to  an  indifferent 
reader,  it  may  appear  overftrained,  no 
apology  can  be  neceflary  to  phyficians,  for 
placing  their  profeffion  in  an  honourable 
point  of  view,  and  endeavouring  to  in- 
fpire  thofe,  who  have  not  already  acquir¬ 
ed  fettled  habits,  with  that  fpirit  of  en- 
thufiafm  which  leads  to  excellence  jn 

|  \  Vi 

the  arts  and  fciences. 

a  2,  Though 


PREFACE. 


IV 


Though  it  was  approved  by  the  friendly 
partiality  of  the  Audience,  it  was  not  in¬ 
tended  to  have  been  fubmitted  to  the  fe- 

verer  cenfure  of  deliberate  criticifm. 

« 

The  unanimous  requeft  of  the  Medical 

Society  brought  it,  from  its  deftined  ob- 
fcurity,  before  the  tribunal  of  the  pub- 
lick. 

To  the  candour  of  the  publick  it  is 
committed,  whofe  generous  indulgence,  in 
direft  oppofition  to  thofe  who  affiume  the 
office  of  ditfators ,  the  Author  has  too 

often  experienced,  to  harbour  a  doubt  of 
due  allowance  being  made  for  the  in¬ 
accuracy 


PREFACE. 


v 


accuracy  of  a  fugitive  piece,  originally 

defigned  for  the  confined  circle  of  a  pri¬ 
vate  Society. 

But  however  it  may  affe£t  his  intereft, 
(hould  it,  in  any  degree,  contribute  to  the 
improvement  of  medicine,  he  (hall  not 
regret  its  being  publiihed. 

Pall-Mali* 

27  Jan.  1776* 


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piterque  defperatur  quicquid  fieri  poteft.  Ante 
omnia  fufiicit  ad  exhortationem  ftudiorum,  non 
capere  id  rerum  naturam,  ut  quicquid  non  eft 
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S  I  C  I  A  N  S. 


F  the  dignity  of  the  arts  and  fciences  is  efti- 
mated  by  their  utility,  medicine  muft  be 
eminently  diftinguilhed.  It  has  for  its  ob- 
je£t,  the  regulation  of  the  operations  of  the  hu¬ 
man  body,  and  its  prefervation,  in  that  found 

A  and 


6  A  Difcourfe  on  the 

and  perfect  Hate,  on  which  the  vigour  of  the 
mind,  and  the  juftnefs  and  propriety  of  its  fen> 
timents  depend. 

The  talents  eflentially  neceflary  to  this  im¬ 
portant  office  are  lo  extenfive,  that  an  accom- 
pliffied  .  phylician  mull  have  hi»  mind  ftored 
with  ample  materials  for  the  enlargement  of  his 
underftanding,  be  led  to  a  diverfified  cultivation 
of  the  polite  arts  and  fcienccs,  conducive  to  ele- 
gance  of  manners  and  refined  fentiments,  and 
inured  to  that  laborious  application,  by  which 

*  $  r  x  I  \  *  Y  '  y  \  • 

diftinguilhed  abilities  are  rendered  peculiarly  bene¬ 
ficial  to  mankind. 

An  enquiry,  therefore,  concerning  the  means  of 
improving  the  Jcience  of  medicine ,  which  is  affigned 
as  the  fubjedfc  of  this  difcourfe,  mull:  be  worthy 
of  our  moll  attentive  confederation. 

<  *■  r  *  t  f  rf  jf  f  '  i  \  .  .j.  .  .  j  .  .  • 

i.  *  >  t  .  s  ■*<•«»••>  >  »  v  ( 

As  the  time  and  place  do  not  admit  of  treat¬ 
ing 

I  . 

/  '  '  .  '  '  •  .  '  ■  *  ' 

£  A  I  V  • 


7 


Duty  of  Phyficians, 

\ 

ing  this  fubjed  in  its  full  extent,  it  feems,  on  this 
occalion,  peculiarly  proper  to  point  out  the  duty 
of  phyficians  in  their  public  as  well  as  private 
capacity ;  lince,  on  the  faithful  difcharge  of  it, 
every  improvement  in  medicine  muft  ultimately 

For  this  purpofe  permit  me  to  call  your  at¬ 
tention,  to  the  examples  fet  before  us,  in  the 
conduct  of  thofc,  by  whom  our  art  bat  hitherto 
been  improved. 

’  v 

•  , 

When  we  conlider  them,  in  its  infancy,  dc- 

.  t  -  .  . . 

voted  to  fevere  ftudy,  relinquifhing  the  pleafures 
and  enjoyments  of  focial  life,  facrincing  every 
indulgence,  pradiling  the  moft  mortifying  felf- 

.  *  riEnr  .Dnohr-i- 

denial,  confuming  themfelves  in  the  fervice  or 

.  .  •  .  i  mwiJ  gno 

mankind,  cxpofed  to  noxious  infedion,  freely 

i  '■  ■-  i  ill 

hazarding  their  own  lives  in  faving  others ;  can 
we  be  furprifed  that  fuch  uncommon  virtue 
ihould  have  been  held  in  the  higheft  efteem  and 

A  2 


venera- 


8 


A  Difcourfe  on  the 

veneration,  and  thofe  who  practifed  it,  tranflated, 
in  the  fond  imagination  of  their  grateful  cotem¬ 
poraries,  beyond  the  bounds  of  mortality ;  and 
ranked,  as  was  the  cuftom  in  thofe  early  ages, 

among  the  number  of  the  Gods? 

\ 

How  much  greater  magnanimity  is  exerted  in 
fuch  ufeful  purfuits,  than  in  thofe  which  capti¬ 
vate  fuperficial  obfervers,  and  have  been  denomi¬ 
nated  heroic  ? 

How  much  more  laudable  to  be  engaged 
in  ads  of  humanity  and  benevolence,  than  in 
thofe  of  cruelty  and  violence  ?  To  fave,  than  to 

.V  f  ft  '  ••  ■  V-  '  A 

C  _  "*•  1  •/  Ji  -J  *  X  Zm 

?  To  extend 

r*  '  T  <  * 

mankind,  than  to  fpread  ruin  and  defolation  a- 

*  i  "  f  *  J  4  j.  -  ^ 

mong  them  ?  To  {natch,  from  the  gates  of  death, 
and  reftore  to  his  afflided  family,  a  tender  and 
indulgent  parent,  than  to  add  to  the  number  of 
the  fatherlefs  and  unproteded  ?  • 


deftroy 


and  enlarge  the  happinefs  of 


The 


Duty  of  Phyfcians.  g 

The  duties  of  your  ftation  are  the  moft  im- 
portant  in  which  man  can  be  employed  •  the 
faithful  and  diligent  difcharge  of  them  cannot 
fail  to  improve  your  art,  and  render  its  prcfeffors 
truly  refpe&able. 

By  an  unwearied  exertion  of  uncommon  talents, 
in  the  public  and  private  duties  of  his  ftation, 
Hippocrates  hath  given  us  an  example  highly 
worthy  of  our  moft  attentive  imitation ;  and  ac¬ 
quired  a  fair  and  honourable  fame,  firmly  fixed 

t  '  L  v  ,  .  ,  . 

as  the  foundation  of  the  world,  widely  extended 
as  its  boundaries! 

Attend  him  amidft  the  difeafed,  the  dying,  and 
the  dead ;  carefully  obferving  the  rife,  progrefs, 
and  termination  of  difeafes ;  accurately  obferving 
the  figns  of  fecurity  and  danger,  faithfully  record¬ 
ing  their  hiftory.* 

*  Obfervations  on  the  prevailing  difeafes  in  Great  Britain, 
page  129-139. 

Confider 


i  ©  A  Difcourfe  on  the 

Confider  him  with  fuperlative  knowledge  avert¬ 
ing  the  peftilence,  and  faving  his  country  from 
deftrudion ! 

\ 

Admire  him,  unawed  by  the  menaces,  uninflu¬ 
enced  by  the  liberal  promifes  of  a  powerful,  gene¬ 
rous  and  affluent  prince,  fteadily  withholding  his  fa- 
lutary  aid  from  the  enemies  of  his  country,  though 
tempted  by  the  treafures  of  Perlia,  and  allured  by 
the  imperial  honours  of  the  court  of  Artaxerxes ! 

View  him,  on  the  other  hand,  animated  by 
the  love  of  fcience  and  the  didates  of  humanity, 
haftening,  at  the  humble  requeft  of  the  people 
of  Abdera,  to  the  afliftance  of  Democritus  f 

Behold  him,  alfo,  in  times  of  public  dan¬ 
ger,  armed  in  his  country’s  caufe,  with  prompti¬ 
tude,  courage  and  alacrity,  leading  his  fellow  citi¬ 
zens  to  glory;  and  foothing  thofe  who  fuffered 

in 


I 


Duty  of  'Phyficiam.  1 1 

in  the  conteft,  with  the  tendereft  application  of 
his  healing  art  ! 

By  fuch  pure  and  difinterefted  virtue,  he  con¬ 
ciliated  the  affeCtion,  and  gained  the  entire  con¬ 
fidence  of  his  co  temporaries :  and  was  ranked,  in 
his  life  time,  by  his  kindred,  and  in  his  own 
country,  among  the  number  of  the  Gods. 

How  trifling,  -  in  comparifon  of  this  exalted  cha¬ 
racter,  is  that  of  the  poet ;  who,  on  reviewing  the 
wanton  exuberance  of  a  luxuriant  imagination, 
vainly  exults  ? 

Jamque  opus  exegi,  quod  nec  jovis  ira,  nec  ignis, 

Nec  potuit  ferrum,  nec  edax  abolere  vetuftas. 

•• 

Hippocrates,  on  the  contrary,  after  all  the  im¬ 
provements  he  had  made  in  his  art,  after  all  the 
fervices  he  had  done  to  his  country  and  to  man¬ 
kind,  as  if  diflatisfied  with  that  proficiency  which 
had  given  univcrfal  fatisfaCtion,  and  difpleafed  with 

the 


12 


A  Difcourfe  on  the 

the  refult  of  thofe  labours,  which  the  world  had 
approved  and  applauded,  and  which  had  exalted 
him  to  the  highcft  honours ;  on  reviewing  his 
works,  with  that  fuperlative  modefty,  which  is  the 
concomitant  of  extenfive  knowledge ;  complains, 
life  is  fhort ;  the  art  intricate  ;  experiment  fal- 

f**  f  *\  I*  h  *  P  I  •  .  ^  w  -V  f  f.  -  s 

lacious. 

Such  were  the  means  by  which  the  father  of 
phyfick  improved  and  exalted  his  art,  and  obtained 
the  title  of  the  Divine  Hippocrates. 

*  *  t  If 

Imitating  his  example,  the  learned  and  vir¬ 
tuous  of  the  profeffion,  in  fucceeding  times,  at¬ 
tracted  the  notice  and  gained  the  confidence  of 
philofophers,  politicians  and  princes;  fome  of  whom, 
invited  by  the  refpeCt  in  which  medicine  was 
held,  applied  themfelves  to  its  cultivation,  and  o- 
thers  acquired  no  fmall  {hare  of  renown  by  encou- 
raging  and  protecting  thofe  who  had  eminently 
diftinguifhed  themfelves  in  the  profeffion. 

When 


Duty  of  Phyficiani.  1 3 

When  vve  behold  a  judicious,  intelligent  and 
politic  prince,  no  lefs  renowned  for  his  know¬ 
ledge  of  mankind  and  of  the  human  heart,  than 
for  the  valour  and  intrepidity,  by  which  he  fub- 
je&ed  the  world  to  his  dominion,  following,  with¬ 
out  hefitation,  the  council  of  his  phylician,  and 

*  40  ■  + 

refolutely  drinking  the  cup  which  he  adminiftered, 
though  informed  of  his  having  engaged  to  de- 
flroy  him  by  poifon  ;  can  we  entertain  a  doubt  of 
the  approved  fkill,  attachment,  integrity,  and  fide¬ 
lity,  which  warranted  fo  wife  a  prince  in  fuch 

4^  9  #  •  /  , 

implicit  confidence  ? 

But  without  enlarging  on  the  examples  record¬ 
ed  in  the  hiftory  of  other  countries,  let  us  attend  to 
thofe  of  our  own. 

■'  •’  l  .$0  i  •  i  -  - 

When  phyfick  was  funk  in  myftery,  fuperfti- 
tion  and  ignorance,  the  illuftrious  Lord  Bacon 

^  '•  1  ,  I 

accomplifhed  its  reformation,  by  judicioufly  point¬ 
ing 


B 


14  A  Difcourfe  on  the 

ing  out  the  errors  with  which  it  abounded  ;  the 
fources  from  whence  they  arofe,  the  means  of  cor¬ 
recting  them,  and  reftoring  the  art  to  its  pri¬ 
mitive  fimplicity. 

Zealous  to  profecute  a  plan  thus  aulpicioully 
begun,  the  Englifh  phyficians  applied  themfelves 
to  the  cultivation  of  their  art,  with  fuch  afliduity 
and  fuccefs,  as  hath  juftly  excited  the  admiration 
of  other  nations. 

Thus  was  the  immortal  Harvey  prompted  to 

% 

that  laborious  inveftigation,  which  led  him  to  the 
important  difcovery  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
and  to  the  perfect  knowledge  of  the  ftru&ure  of 
the  parts  by  which  it  is  accomplifhed . 

i  "  r  ,  ‘  i  1  y  '  1  '  4  ,  1 

Purfuing  his  inquiries,  with  an  ardour  incrcaf- 
ed  by  fuccefs,  he  traced  the  progrefs  of  nature 
in  the  various  flages  of  conception  and  preg¬ 
nancy,  and  the  mechanifm  by  which  thefe  ope¬ 
rations  of  the  animal  ceconomy  are  performed. 

j  >  A'  •  t  ’*(  *  ..  />  ■  *  *  •jypdjJmn  *•  |A 

Honoured 


Duty  of  Phypciam*  j  § 

Honoured  by  the  countenance,  protection,  and 
even,  fometimes,  by  the  prefence  of  his  Sovereign 
during  his  refearches,  he  devoted  himfelf  to  the 
fervice  of  mankind,  in  a  fevere  application  to  the 
duties  of  his  profeffion,  unmoved  by  calumny,  un- 
biaffed  by  intereft,  trufting  to  pofterity  for  that 
juft  retribution,  which  was  withheld  during  his 
life,  by  the  ignorance,  fuperftition  and  envy  of  his 
cotemporaries,  but  has  been  amply  repaid  to  his  me¬ 
mory  by  the  univerfal  concurrence  of  his  fucceflors!  + 

Excited  by  the  fame  attending  thofe  who  figna- 
lized  themfelves  in  protecting  and  promoting  the  arts 
and  fciences,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Boyle,  no  lefs  illuftrious 
by  the  rank  he  obtained  in  philofophy,  than  that  deri¬ 
ved  from  his  anceftors,  applied  himfelf  diligently  to  the 
ftudy  of  medicine,  and  to  the  profecution  of  thofe  ufe- 

B  2  fu! 

•j-  Nota  qui  fatali  portenta  labore  fubegit, 

Comperit  invidiam  fupremo  fine  domari ; 

Urit  enim  fulgore  fuo.,  qui  prsegravat  artes 
Infra  fe  pofitas  j  extin&us  amabitur  idem,  * 


Horace. 


/ 


1 6  A  Difcourfe  on  the 

ful  and  important  experiments  in  natural  philo- 
fophy,  with  which  it  is  intimately  connected. 

Not  fatisfied  with  the  improvements  which  he 

✓ 

himfelf  made,  Mr.  Boyle  alfo  encouraged  and  affift- 

A  \ 

ed  Sydenham  in  profecuting  his  obfervations,  accom¬ 
panied  him  in  attending  the  lick,  bore  teftimony  to 
his  accuracy,  and  animated  him  by  his  friendfhip 
and  countenance  to  that  laborious  application  to 
the  practical  duties  of  his  ftation,  by  which  the  heal¬ 
ing  art  hath  been  fo  greatly  enriched. 

V 

'  •  ,  . .  ' 

Emulating  the  virtue,  obferving  the  precepts, 
and  imitating  the  uncommon  induftry  of  this  emi¬ 
nent  philofopher,  Sydenham  judicioufly  inveftigated 
and  defcribed  the  prevailing  difeafes,  pointed  out  a 
fuccefsful  method  of  treating  them,  and,  in  his 
conduct  through  life,  fet  an  example  of  ho¬ 
nour,  candour,  fidelity  and  integrity,  highly  wor¬ 
thy  of  our  moft  attentive  imitation,  and  in  all 

things 


:/ 


Duty  of  Phyfcians.  1 7 

things  approaching  to  perfection,  had  not  his  ex¬ 
treme  fenfibility  rendered  him  too  ealily  vulne¬ 
rable  by  envy  and  calumny,  which  ever  purfue 
fuperior  merit,  are  infeparable  attendants  on  emi¬ 
nence,  and  muft  be  difregarded  by  thofe  who 
aim  at  reforming  abufes  in  the  profeffion.  , 

I  fhall  not  further  trefpafs  on  your  indulgence, 
by  accumulating  examples  of  thofe  who  in  for¬ 
mer  times,,  and  in  other  countries,  have  contri¬ 
buted  to  the  improvement  of  medicine  ;  and,  in 
this  aflembly,  where  the  fubjedt  is  thoroughly 
underftood,  it  might  appear  like  adulation,  to 
point  out  thofe  which  this  age  and  country 
afford. 

'  .  %  "■  % 

■  -•  .  -«»  /  v  *.<•..  *  <  l 

^  /•  w  ^  **  ul  .  -ft 

In  every  department,  modern  phyficians  have 
improved  on  the  labours  of  their  predeceffors, 
many  are  the  important  difcoveries,  too  many  to 
be  here  recited,  in  Anatomy,  Surgery,  Natural 

and 


1 8  A  Difcourfe  on  the 

and  Experimental  Philofophy,  and  in  the  fuccefs- 
ful  treatment  of  difeafes,  which  we  owe  to  their 

'*  **  '  A  ■  » 

induftry  and  ingenuity. 

Let  us  ftudy  to  emulate  the  virtues  of  thofe 
illuflrious  men  by  whom  our  art  has  been  im¬ 
proved,  without  envying  their  glory,  fo  (hall  our 
endeavours  be  crowned  with  honour,  if  not  with 
fuccefs ! 

*  T  -  *  -  t  %  t  -  « 

\  ;  ,  ;•?  f;  .  1  );'>  m  :  rrh;  ** 

How  prevalent  the  motives  to  perfuade  a  phy- 
fician  to  the  diligent  difcharge  of  his  duty  !  How 
important  the  truft  committed  to  his  care  1 

”y  *  „ 

When  with  univerfal  benevolence  his  invention 

is  exerted  in  extending  the  means  of  affording 
relief.  When  he  prefers  the  fafety  and  advan- 
tage  of  thofe  who  confide  in  him  to  his  own 
intereft  and  emolument.  When  with  humility  and 
condefcenfion,  he  contributes  his  aid,  to  the  hum¬ 
ble 


Duty  of  Phyfcians.  19 

ble  and  unfortunate,  as  well  as  to  thofe  of  rank 
and  affluence ;  his  art  fhall  be  honoured,  and 
himfelf  refpedted fuccefs  lhall  crown  his  endea¬ 
vours  ;  efteem  and  gratitude  fhall  be  his  re¬ 
ward! 

If  he  records  his  obfervations  with  accuracy 
his  art  will  ~  be  improved ;  if  he  freely  commu¬ 
nicates  them  to  others,  his  experience  will  not 
only  aid  the  prefent,  but  inftrudt  future  ages. 
Thus  fhall  he  be  regarded  as  the  friend  of  man¬ 
kind  ;  and  that  approbation  which  wealth  cannot 
purchafe,  nor  power  command,  fhall  attend  him 
through  life,  and  tranfmit  his  name  with  renown 
to  future  generations ! 

|  '  •  '  C  -  V  ■'  -  ,  •  ,  -  ■  *• 

u  Honour  fueh  a  phyfician,”  fays  the  wife 
fon  of  Sirach,  ct  with  the  honour  that  is  due 
tc  unto  him,  for  the  ufes  you  may  have  of  him, 
“  for  the  Lord  hath  created  him  I” 


“  For 


20 


A  Difcourfe  on  the 

“For  of  the  raoft  high  cometh  healing,  and 
“  he  fhall  receive  honour  of  the  King !” 

1  '  £  •**  ^  .  *  4  *-  m  ■  9  *“  «•  • 

^  !t  ■*'  -  r'>  r  f  #  7  +  v  “  •  t  »  /  » ■  ^  $  \~T  T  t 

'  <*  t  J.  .  -  .  .  f  •  <S  :  i  .  ...  >  - 

“  The  /kill  of  the  phyfician  fhall  lift  up  his 

“  head,  and  in  the  fight  of  great  men  he  fhall 
“  be  in  admiration  !” 

0 

*  *  ♦  ■*  |  ■■  *  »»•,, 

*  e‘  f  s',  0  ;»  •  j  '  I  :  *►  '  4!i  * 

■**  '  «  *-»-.•  v  -  -  •»  **r  •  ^  1 

“The  Lord  hath  created  medicines  out  of  the 
“  earth,  and  he  that  is  wife  will  not  defpife 

“  them.” 

'  -  ***■' 

“  Then  give  place  to  the  phyfician,  for  the 
“  Lord  hath  created  him,  let  him  not  go  from 

“  thee,  for  thou  haft  need  of  him  !” 

"  ► 

Are  there  any  who  prey  on  the  miferies 
of  mankind,  and  ftudy  only  to  profit  ,by  their 
diftrefs  ?  ct  Let  him,”  faith  the  fame  wife  man, 
“  who  finneth  before  his  maker,  fall  into  the 
“  hands  of  fuch  a  phyfician  !” 

He 


21 


Duty  of  Phyfcians. 

He  feels  not,  but  pretends  an  anxious  folici- 
tude  for  all  who  become  the  dupes  of  his  adulation, 

jciT’c*  io  i ' .  ijcr.  T  t  i  )  i  *i  j.'if  > 

The  private  duties  of  his  ftation  are  only  re¬ 
garded  with  a  view  to  private  intereft. 

.«*  ,  i  •-  .  ->  .  .  *  _  f  r 

V  .•  {+H  ,•  ■■■  *•  .  ‘  ,  i  «-«.  -  'V  r  »  i  ...  - 

■  kill  •  •  : 

To  the  humble  and  unfortunate,  he  is  haughty 

fW  *  *  *  •*  ’  \  >  "  1  1 

and  fevere,  and  fervile  in  his  adulation  of  the 

powerful  and  affluent. 

|  r.  I  .  ^  „ /v  „  ..  ,t  .  ,  •  f  ■[  § 

m  i,  *  ...  x  t *  Jr  'i  U  V  4~  -•  '  •»  <  &  4  -4 

Regardlefs  of  the  improvement  of  his  art,  he 
ftudies  not  to  render  it  refpe&able. 

;  f  '  *  ,  *  *  .  v  V  -S.  *  •  * 

4  . ,  #  4  '  -  *  *•  *  \  V  . 

>  #  •  ’  V  <t> 

To  thofe  of  his  own  profeffion  his  condud  is 
regulated  according  to  his  views  of  profiting  by 
their  foibles  or  their  vanity. 

i  ■*  -s.Jf  ♦  *  *  '  /  &  4-4-  ******  *'*  v  -  K 

,1  * 

f  *  "  >  ,  r  i  f  %  ■'  -  ' 

.  ,  -  y  f  f  ■  ^  **  ,  -  *  ;  j  ;>  *.  '!■;*+  '  4 

Holding  no  opinions  of  his  own,  he  readily 

—  ■  f  •  *  *-t.  -p  ■  ■  "*  .  }  •it  •  ■  |  i,  i  .  ^ 

adopts  the  tranfitory  prejudices  and  caprices  of 
thofe  on  whofe  favour  he  depends. 


C 


Hoping 


22  A  Di/courfe  on  the 


Hoping  to  advance  his  intereft  by  implicitly 
adhering  to  popular  error,  he  ftudioufly  avoids 
and  fuppreffes  every  means  of  expofing  or  correct¬ 
ing  it,  and  fcruples  not  to  facrifice  the  principles  of 
honour  and  the  dignity  of  the  art,  to  prefent 
wealth  and  temporary  fame. 

t  t  ,  .  .  _ 

t  ^  _  I  f  i  •  •  -  \  . 

How  ftriking  the  contraft  between  this  fordid 

-  i 

*  >  «,  ^  •  ■  1 

conduct,  and  the  generous  principles  on  which 
this  fociety  was  founded  1 


Let  me  turn  from  it  to  congratulate  you  on 
the  fingular  advantages  you  poflefs,  in  profecu- 
the  purpofes  of  your  aflociation. 

|  #  *  | 

Let  me  congratulate  you  on  the  'rare  felicity  of 

the  times,  in  which  every  one  may  purfue  his 
refearches,  as  his  genius  directs,,  and  without  fear 

^  ,  ,  ,  4  *  t  '  f  r‘i  '*  '  *  .  C  3  k 

of  cenfure  of  punifhment  freely  communicate  the 
refeh  of  his  enquiries  ! 

i,  h'l  ■">  it'.  "  '  ,'J  L  L  .  \  .  •  j  f  i  •»*.-.  *  - 

Tn 


J  r  ..  ;  4 


23 


* 


Duty  of  Phyfcians. 

In  the  hiftory  of  that  people  who  fet  the 
world  a  pattern  of  elegance  and  ingenuity  in 
the  polite  arts  and  fciences,  of  courage  and 
conduct  in  martial  achievements,  when  we  be* 

\  4  ^  ^  *S  .  •  -  »  \  f  '%  „  /'V  •  ,  *  |  , 

hold  thofe  philofophers,  politicians,  warriors,  ora- 

:•  '  T  .  ;  i  *  :-x.  •>  , 

tors  and  artifts,  who  had  ftrenuoufly  and  fuc- 
cefsfully  exerted  their  utmoft  abilities  in  the  fervice 
of  their  country,  proferibed,  banilhed  and  put  to 
death !  When  we  again  fee  the  people  afhamed  of 
their  ingratitude,  cruelty  and  injuftice,  railing  al¬ 
tars  and  erecting  ftatues,  as  an  atonement,  to 
the  memory  of  thofe  injured  heroes !  while  we 
admire  their  grandeur  and  refinement,  can  we 
refrain  from  compalfionating  their  miferable  in- 
confiftency  ? 


%  *  -  t  ■  \.  v  t  .  ■ -J  %  .  ,  ,  ▼  V  • 

'>  -  -  /-  .  ry  ■  V  <  \  f  \  ^  *  .  *  '  '  ' 

Do  we  admire  the  Auguftan  age  ?  If  we  con- 

*  *  •  \  V  ■  ’  / 

fider  the  envy  and  malevolence  which  purfued  men 

C  2  of 


I 


24 


A  Di/courfe  on  the 


of  diftinguifhed  abilities  in  thofe  times,  fhall  we 

Hill  be  difpofed  to  prefer  them  to  our  own  ?  * 

/ 

In  the  earlier  periods  of  our  own  hiftory,  when 
we  behold  a  powerful  Genius  penetrating  the  dark- 
nefs  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  correcting  its 
errors,  difpelling  its  ignorance,  and  endeavouring  to 
reftore  the  world  to  truth  and  found  philofophy  ! 

When  we  fee  him  arraigned,  condemned,  punifhed 
and  perfecuted  by  the  votaries  of  fiavery !  the  fruit 
of  his  genius  blafted  by  ignorance,  barbarifm  and 
fuperftition !  his  ufeful  difcoveries  loft  to  man¬ 
kind  !  and  himfelf  finking  under  accumulated  oppref- 
Iron  If  can  we  refrain  from  commiferating  the  infeli¬ 
city  of  former  times,  and  congratulating  thofe,  who, 

under  the  aufpices  of  a  gracious  Sovereign,  peculi¬ 
arly  propitious  to  the  arts  and  fciences,  enjoy  the 

liberty 

*  Horatii  Epiftola  ad  Auguftum,  Verfe  78,  &c„ 

■f  Roger  Bacon* 


/ 


Duty  of  Phyficians.  25 

liberty  of  a  free  country  in  a  liberal,  polifhed  and 
enlightened  age  ? 

Prifca  juvant  alios,  ego  vos nunc  denique  natos 

Gratulor ! 

The  chains  of  ignorance  are  broken  !  The 
charms  of  myftery  dilpelled  !  Monopoly  and  Ex- 
clulion,  the  laft  feeble  efforts  of  defpotifm,  abo- 
lifhed ;  and  unbounded  fcope  for  emulation  and 
induftry  univerfally  eftabliftied ! 

Were  there  any  who  would  reprefs  your  in¬ 
duftry  in  the  improvement  of  your  art,  fuch  is 
the  fpirit  of:  the  times,  the  attempt  would  be 
vain  !  Genius  refilled,  would  redouble  its  ardour, 
and  advance,  with  increafed  rapidity, .  to  fecure 
its  juft  tribute  of  applaufe  y  and  thofe  talents, 
which  might  have  funk,  unoppofed,  in  floth,  in¬ 
dolence  and  luxury,  roufed  to  their  higheft  ex¬ 
ertion,  would  finally  furmount  all  oppofition  !  - 

In 


1 


2  6  A  Dijcourfe  on  the 

In  this  difcerning  age  no  private  combination, 
nor  publick  afiociation  againft  your  induftrious 
purfuits  can  prevail, 

I  f  \ 

* 

If  fome,  rafhly  defpifing  the  voice  of  publick 
approbation,  unwarily  boaft  of  rifing,  by  the  arts 
of  intrigue  and  cabal,  to  the  higheft  honours  in 
the  profeffion  !  a  fairer  field  is  open  for  all,  to 
contend  for  an  honourable  fame,  with  more  dignity 
to  themfelves,  and  more  advantage  to  mankind,  by 
a  faithful  and  diligent  difcharge  of  the  duties  of 
iheir  ftation. 

f  ,  *r  .  ►  *■  '  /  |  *  it  f 

it*  Jl  ^  *•  t  ,  '  ’  -  *  * 

Religion  and  law,  formerly  in  the  hands  of 
arbitrary  power,  engines  of  tyranny  and  oppref- 
fion,  enflaved  the  minds,  and  devoured  the  pro¬ 
perty  of  the  people,  ftript  of  my  fiery,  and  ex- 
pofed  to  free  inquiry,  they  now  improve  their 

Jf  -  '  “  ~ 

underftanding,  direct  their  morals,  and  prated 
their  liberty. 


Shall 


Duty  of  Phyficians.  27 

Shall  phyfick  then,  the  guardian  of  health, 
the  moft  valuable  of  all  earthly  enjoyments,  re¬ 
taining  its  oracular  ambiguity,  holding  the  lan¬ 
guage  of  myftery,  concealing,  its  caprices,  its  er¬ 
rors,  and  prejudices,  under  an  affectation  of 
wifdom,  gravity  and  learning,  impofe  upon  man¬ 
kind,  and  be  perverted  to  their  deftru&ion  ?  For¬ 
bid  it  humanity  !- 

Let  if  appear  in  its  native  fimplicity,  that  the 
world  may  judge  it  and  its  profeffors !  Thus 
fhall  it  be  exalted  to  its  higheft  perfection,  re- 
ftored  to  its  dignified  rank  among  the  fciences, 
and  rendered  as  ufeful  as  it  hath  often  proved 
deffruCtive  1' 

With  fuch  views  was  this  fociety  founded,  on 

\  ,  1  f  * 

a  liberal,  comprehenfive  plan,  inviting  without 

exception  or  exclufion,  the  learned  and  benefit 
fH  I  ■  cent,, 


Vs  <=-=•  .  '  , 

28  ^  Dtfcourfe  on  the 

cent,  induftrious  and  difinterefted  of  all  coun¬ 
tries,  and  of  every  department  in  the  profeffion 
to  partake  of  its  advantages.  Its  profefled  de- 
ffign  was  to  encourage  the  diffident,  to  aid  the 
diligent,  to  protect  and  fupport  every  effort  of 
genius,  to  give  to  all  an  opportunity  of  impro¬ 
ving  others,  and  of  being  themfelves  improved. 

» 

v  / 

Having  entered  into  fuch  laudable  refolutions 
let  us  not  draw  back,  nor  be  tempted  to  fwerve 
from  the  purpofes  of  our  affociation,  but  ftrenu- 
oufly  exert  our  utmoft  abilities  in  fulfilling  our 
engagements.  Remembering  that  thofe  who  are 
actuated  by  the  pureft  motives  are  not  therefore 
lefs  liable  to  err. 

Guarded  by  a  folicitous  attention  to  private 
intereft,  thofe  who  join  in  felfifh  combinations, 
proceed  with  flender  abilities,  and  phlegmatic  per- 
feverance  to  accompliffi  their  defigns. 


a 

/ 

/ 


Con- 


29 


Duty  of  Phyfcians. 

Confcious  of  the  reditude  and  integrity  of 
their  intentions,  and  regardlefs  of  the  arts  of 
intrigue,  the  generous  and  diiinterefted  are  openly 
expofed  to  every  machination, 

1  •'  ..  ~  '  s  ,  jl  r 

■:  r  .  >  *  ^  ;r  ■>»;,  *  ..  ,  V  ^  v 

Let  prudence,  therefore,  moderation  and  felf 
denial,  guide  and  guard  you  from  indifcreet  and 
intemperate  zeal. 

:  U  ,  , 

Having  no  other  emulation,  but  to  vie  with 
each  other  in  promoting  the  honourable  pur- 
pofes  of  our  aflociation,  let  us,  without  magnify¬ 
ing  our  own  fervices,  or  lightly  efteeming  thole 
of  others,  unite  in  improving  and  exalting 
our  art. 

Thus  fhall  our  inftitution  acquire  liability, 
be  rendered  ufeful  in  our  own  times,  and  trans¬ 
mitted  with  renown  to  future  generations. 

FINIS. 


'  •  ' ■  '  '•  ./  :  " 

t 

(  30  ) 

*  a  , 

The  following  Books,  written  by 
Dr.  MILLAR,  are  printed  for 
Mr.  J  OH  NS  ON,  N°  72,  St.  Paul’s 
Church  Yard. 

I  BSERV  ATIONS  on  the  Asthma, 

V-/  and  on  the  Hooping  Cough.  O&avo. 

7  •;  *  ■  *  *\  *  \  '  <(.'"**)  *  "  \  (  :  ••  ..  •>  ■  ’  •  \  ?. 

II.  Observations  on  the  Prevailing  Diseases 
in  Great  Britain,  together  with  a  Review 
of  the  Hiftory  of  thofe  of  former  Periods, 

'  #  ’  .  ■  r  ;  •  -  .  ;  -  f  ,  -  • 

and  in  other  Countries.  Quarto. 

^  *«  1* . f  >  k  ‘ 

III.  Observations  on  Antimony.  Containing 
an  impartial  Examination  of  the  Evidence 
in  favour  of  Dr.  James’s  Fever  Powder.  .... 


/ 

/ 


Where 


(  31  ) 


WHERE  ALSO  MAY  BE  HAD, 

A  Differtation  on  the  Spasmodic  Asthma 
of  Children,  in’  a  Letter  to  Dr.  Mil  la  r, 
by  Benjamin  Rush,  M.  D.  Profeflor 
of  Chymiftry  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia, 
and  Correfponding  Member  of  the  Society  for 
the  Encouragement  of  Arts,  Manufactures 
and  Commerce. 


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