Though we have endeavoured to point out the causes of diseases, and to put people upon their guard against them, yet it must be acknowledged that they are often of such a nature as to admit of being removed only by the diligence and activity of the public magistrate. We are sorry, indeed, to observe, that the power of the magistrate is seldom exerted in this country for the preservation of health. The importance of a proper medical police is either not understood, or little regarded. Many things highly injurious to the public health are daily practiced with impunity, while others, absolutely necessary for its preservation, are entirely neglected. Some of the public means of preserving health are mentioned in the general prophylaxis, as the inspection of provisions, widening the streets of great towns, keeping them clean, supplying the inhabitants with wholesome water, &c.; but they are passed over in a very cursory manner. A proper attention to these would have swelled this volume to too large a size; I have therefore reserved them for the subject of a future publication. In the treatment of diseases, I have been peculiarly attentive to regimen. The generality of people lay too much stress upon Medicine, and trust too little to their own endeavours. It is always in the power of the patient, or of those about him, to do as much towards his recovery as can be effected by the physician. By not attending to this, the designs of Medicine are often frustrated; and the patient, by pursuing a wrong plan of regimen, not only defeats the Doctor’s endeavours, but renders them dangerous. I have often known patients killed by an error in regimen, when they were using very proper medicines. It will be said, the physician always orders the regimen when he prescribes a medicine. I wish it were so, both for the honour of the Faculty and the safety of their patients: but physicians, as well as other people, are too little attentive to this matter. Though many reckon it doubtful whether physic is more beneficial or hurtful to mankind, yet all allow the necessity and importance of a proper regimen in diseases. Indeed the very appetites of the sick prove its propriety. No man in his senses ever imagined that a person in a fever, for example, could eat, drink, or conduct himself in the same manner as one in perfect health. This part of medicine, therefore, is evidently founded in Nature, and is every way consistent with reason and common sense. Had men been more attentive to it, and less solicitous in hunting after secret remedies, Medicine had never become an object of ridicule.