learned Physician, and most sottish Empiric must be thought equal in
skill, by those that are not able to make a right judgment and
difference betwixt them on other principles. Hence it comes to pass,
that where some ignorant person hath cured accidentally a slight
disease, and a Physician hath a Patient dye of an irrecoverable Case,
here the Empiric shall be applauded, and the Physician decryed. Nay
many will say the disease is the same in both, whereas we daily see
most gross mistakes in such opinions, when the Cases differ totally in
their Nature, agreeing in one sign only common to both the Cases
proposed, nay to many other also. Furthermore, if a Patient dy under
an Empirics hand, the friends willingly conceal their Names, lest some
discredit should befal them for using such worthless practisers; but
if under the hands of a known Physician he shall be sure to be named,
and sometimes his attendance falsly fathered on him, when Mountebanks
only have been employed: but to besure if an Empiric hath first been
made use of, and afterwards an able Physician called in (when all
opportunity of doing good was past) and the Patient dy, the Mountebank
hath never been mentioned, but the Physician perhaps condemned though
he hath done whatsoever could have been thought on, rational in that
Case.

Add to the former reasons, the bold and confident brags, and promises
of Empirics, that they have cured worse diseases, and will in few
hours free them from their maladies, especially where sober Physicians
have pronounced doubtfully of the event. No wonder that these pleasing
promises to persons in danger and distress bring them into employment
even with a rejection of the former sober Physician.

Besides, a foolish opinion prevails with some ignorant persons, that
they will deal only with such as will undertake the Cure, (that is)