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THE PREFACE.
I. THE Design of our Publication of these Cures (being purely matter of Fact) is Two-fold; 1. That such a Cloud of Experiments (so Exactly taken) might not be lost, by reason of their exceeding Benefit and Ʋse which they may prove of to Posterity. 2. That all young Physicians and Chirurgians, and other Ingenious Persons, whether Gentlemen or Ladies who practise Our Art, might have something from Experience, w••••ch might guide them a∣little by the hand (as it were and lead them through the many Intricacies of Physick and Chi∣rurgery; well knowing that nothing is so pleasantly and so firmly taught as that which is done by Example: for as much as every Exemplification is not only an Illustration in the Mind, but also a Direction of the Intellect in performing the like again.
II. The Reason of the Manner of the Publication (which will be Sheet by sheet Weekly) is from a certain Necessity: 1. Because the WORK is like to be very Great and Voluminous, whereby the time of its Publication would be long, and the Charge of so great an Ʋndertaking not small. 2. For the present satisfaction of the Buyer, whereby not only the Value will be in a manner in∣sensible to him, but also the Expectations and Earnest Desires of many will be daily answered; Who peradventure might think it long to wait the Printing of Five or Six hundred Sheets of Paper. This way of Exposing them was by the Advice of some Physicians and Chirurgians (Well-willers to this Design) as also by the Opinion of the Book seller, whereby a continual supply will be provided to the carrying on of this so great a Work, which, were it to be exposed whole, would scarcely be sold under 4l. a Book. The first sheet will begin Wednesday the 27th of July 1681, and so come out weekly, Wednesdays and Frydays, till the sum of all the said Cures are Exposed.
III. Each sheet will treat of a Particular Disease: wherein under every History you will have for the most part, 1. The Constitution of the Body of the sick. 2. The Symptoms pre∣dominant. 3. The Cause of the Disease, what? 4. The Exact Method which was taken in the Cure. 5. An Exact Account of the Medicines Exhibited, with the Order of their Exhibition, Various Doses and Success thereupon. This Medicinal History will contain above Three Thousand of our Own Observations, digested each under their proper Heads: wherein also we shall insert several of the choicest Observations of other Famous Men, such are those of Crato, Forestus, Skenkius, Rulandus, Platerus, Zacutus, Riverius, Willis, Hildanus, &c. which are already Printed, and other some which are fallen into our Hands in Manuscripts, the which by Reason of the Service they may do the publick. We are Ʋnwilling should Perish by the Devouring Jaws of Time, for want of a seasonable publication.
IV. This Whole Work will be divided into several Books: Which will Treat of Diseases of the Head: Of Diseases of the Thorax or Brest. Of Diseases of the Abdomen or Belly. Of Feavers. And of Chirurgery, relating to Tumors, Wounds, Ʋlcers, Fractures, and Dislocations. Wherein Observations of all the principal Diseases happening to the Bodies of human Kind will be faithfully exposed, with many other things of Excellent Ʋse: and absolutely necessary to be known by all the Professors and Practisers of Our Art.
V. Now, because many of these Diseases have been cured not with Ordinary Medicines of the Shops, but by such as we have peculiarly selected out of a farraginous heap, it may be reasonable to publish a Catalogue of the same with their several prizes, for as much as that we shall have them always, or for the most part, ready prepar'd by Ʋs. The Catalogue shews you in which of our Books their Composition Preparation, Virtues, Ʋse and Dose are to be found, viz. Whether in Our Pharmacopoeia, or Doron which is now in the Press: and if in our Phar∣macopoeia, in what Page and Column. Those marked with this (†) Character are principal, and so indeed ought to be look upon, being medicaments of great Virtue, Power and Ʋse.
The Catalogue of the Medicaments, with their Certain Prises, See in the next Page. Vale.
Advertis••ment. Our Synopsis Medicinae. A Compendium of Physick, Chirurgery, and Anatomy, so oft refer'd to in our New London. Dispensatory, is now publish'd in II. Volumus, price 10 s. Also Our Horae Ma∣thematicae, or Soul of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Astrology, hath always been to be had of T. Dawks, & L. Curtiss, price 5 s.