This seems to have been the first idea of Medicine. The ancient physicians acted chiefly in the capacity of nurses. They went very little beyond aliment in their prescriptions; and even this they generally administered themselves, attending the sick for that purpose through the whole course of the disease; which gave them an opportunity not only of marking the changes of diseases with great accuracy, but likewise of observing the effects of their different applications, and adapting them to the symptoms. The learned Dr. Arbuthnot asserts, that by a proper attention to those things which are almost within the reach of every body, more good and less mischief will be done in acute diseases, than by medicines improperly and unseasonably administered; and that great cures may be effected in chronical distempers, by a proper regimen of the diet only. So entirely do the Doctor’s sentiments and mine agree, that I would advise every person, ignorant of physic, to confine his practice solely to diet, and the other parts of regimen; by which means he may often do much good, and can seldom do any hurt. This seems also to have been the opinion of the ingenious Dr. Huxham, who observes, that we often seek from Art what all-bountiful Nature most readily, and as effectually, offers us, had we diligence and sagacity enough to observe and make use of them; that the _dietetic_ part of Medicine is not so much studied as it ought to be; and that, though less pompous, yet it is the most natural method of curing diseases. To render the book more generally useful, however, as well as more acceptable to the intelligent part of mankind, I have in most diseases, besides regimen, recommended some of the most simple and approved forms of medicine, and added such cautions and directions as seemed necessary for their safe administration, it would no doubt have been more acceptable to many, had it abounded with pompous prescriptions, and promised great cures in consequence of their use; but this was not my plan: I think the administration of medicines always doubtful, and often dangerous, and would much rather teach men how to avoid the necessity of using them, than how they should be used. Several medicines, and those of considerable efficacy, may be administered with great freedom and safety. Physicians generally trifle a long time with medicines before they learn their proper use. Many peasants at present know better how to use some of the most important articles in the _materia medica_, than physicians did a century ago; and doubtless the same observation will hold with regard to others some time hence. Wherever I was convinced that medicine might be used with safety, or where the cure depended chiefly upon it, I have taken care to recommend it; but where it was either highly dangerous, or not very necessary, it is omitted.