AN ANSWER BY Doctor Black: TO A LETTER WRITTEN To a Friend in the Country, concerning Dr. Broun's Vindicatory Schedule, etc. By Philander.  
MUch hath been talked by some two or three young Physicians, Dolphingtouns Disciples (for through all Scotland they do not exceed that number) of his Answer to the Survey of the Vindicatory Schedule: It was said to be a piece, that would so Nettle the Physicians his supposed Antagonists, and so confound them; that they should wish never to have meddled in the Matter. Now it appears, and so Silly a piece of Stuff is again obtruded upon the World, that it should not be thought worth the while to Answer it, were it not to invite these Gentlemen to enter the Lists; for better than this cannot be expected from Dolphingtoun, or from any of his Abilities.  
The greatest part of the Survey being spent in exposing the Author, and his Schedule, about the end, the Hypothesis, and the method are seriously Refuted. It might have been expected that Dolphingtoun's Counsel should have suggested to him, to say something in Vindication of himself with respect to those matters of Fact, with which he stands branded; and something for the Hypothesis, which really is contrary to the circulation of the Blood, and to the mechanical structure of the Heart and Arteries; and somewhat like ways in favour of his method from reason; as also in defence of the many passages of his Book, which are taxed with Nonsense, or Contradiction. But all these he hath industriously avoided, judging it fit to amuse the World with general Terms, (which every Blockhead that meets with opposition, may say in his own defence) and reflections upon the Author of the Survey, whom he will not allow to be one; but through all his Letter he speaks of him in the Plural Number; I suppose 'tis because having in the 9th page called himself a Champion, he thinks one too few to grapple with him. The truth is the greatest part of the Survey admits no Answer, it being either his own in Terminis, or most natural consequences drawn from it, intermixed with matters of Fact, which he hath left, as he found them, not thinking it convenient to rip up old Sores.  
Before I enter upon examination of his Letter, it is to be observed that he hath got some good by the Survey; for his Friends have helped him to wipe his Style, though not to any great degree: and under the covert of this, and the personating another, he expects to hid himself: Yet in spite of this artifice, his Synonimons, which without doubt he hath learned at the Letrens, and his perplexed Banter discover him perpetually.  
He gins his Letter with a ridiculous story of Grief, and Pleasure, which many have with relation to him and his method: They have grief, says he, when they consider that their Friends, who died of Fevers, were not treated by the purging method; since so much can be said for that method from reason, and experience. But for all this fair flourish he says never a word for it either from Reason or experience, except in the end, where he gives some instances of Cures (of which in their due place) and he leaves unanswered, what was said in the Survey against the method both from reason, and experience. In the next place he tells us that least the Physicians should be branded with over sight, or negligence because they have not been the first Discoverers or Entertainers of this method, therefore they suppress it. Which is a gross Calumny: I know no Physician either so wicked, or foolish, as to refuse a better method, than what at present he practiseth, so he can be convinced, that there is any such: But I think no wise Physician will quite the method he has found successful, for a new one established only upon the practice of one or two inconsiderable Physicians, and these as unsuccesful as others; especially since Reason hath form so many prejudices against it, that 'tis impossible for a judicious Person following the dictates of his Reason, to determine himself that way. Besides 'tis disingenous in Dolphingtoun to say that any foul means have been used to suppress this his method: I know some foul ones have been used to advance it, and its admirers; whereof some stand unanswered in the Survey.  
The 2d. Parag. Is stuffed with Dolphingtoun's kind sentiments of pleasure, that he's become an Author. For says he The inquisitive are not a little delighted to find a concern so important handled so ingeniously, and a Design so profitable, prosecute so plausibly. Tho the medical Art be truly, if it contain any thing of certainty or reality, hid so deep from the eyes of Men, that the world is much in doubt whether it be an Art or Artifice: Yet I find as ye likeways observe, that the Author in his Book has done prettily to prove it an Art. Truly Fool- Andrew (for I cannot otherways decipher this Philander) what you have said here may give the world a sufficient Character of your Vanity. for sure I am; was never more Incense burnt to Self-conceit, than is done here: I must say Medicine has little to say for itself, it depend upon Dolphingtoun's prettily done Book to prove it an Art.  
What he talks of the Physicians faults in 3d, parag. I know none so guilty as himself of these faults for which he blames Others; neither do I know any Physician troubled about his charging them with faults, nor grudging at it; so he might have had spared his pains.  
'Twas no wonder if the Physicians humours had been raised, as he tells In the 4th, parag. To find an original piece of Banter obtruded upon the World, in defence of a new method in Medicine, Stuffed with a Collection of things pick's up here, and there, at Random; which have no more relation to one another, than his Schedule hath to Learning, or Sense: But they have neither breathed out Malice, nor Spite against him; they have only told the truth to his Shame, were he Capable of any.  
The 5th, parag. Must be Ushered in with Revolutions, Reformations, Struggle, and Commotion, Changes, and Earthquakes. One would think the Cat of Smalholm were prophesying that the whole course of Nature should be in danger to be dissolved, when Dolphingtouns new method were introduced into the World. His Messenger of Satan did not succeed with him so well, to abuse the Scriptures again. As his Friend, I would advise him to quite his Tub-preaching to others.  
As to the 6th, parag. To bring in himself upon other men's practice, is as notable an instance of his Envy, as any thing I know. Of Pride he hath arraigned himself already, acknowledging he needed Buffetting for his loftiness of mind.  
All that's said in the 7th, parag. about Splendour, and brightness of Truth, and light of raising Dirt and Mist to throw upon the Propagators and Advancers of Truth, is as far out of his road, as are his ridiculous stories of Luther, and the Devil; Sir, Satan, and Dr. Sherlock, But in his Schedule he gives us a Specimen of his reading in Medicine: Now he gives us one in Pamphlets. As for his Book, it has got a more solid Answer, than it deserved: So he seems to be a false Prophet.  
For Answer to the 8th, parag. I know none that thought the debate in hand of great importance: The method was Doctor Sydenham's, and the Schedule was published to strengthen the Doctors Reasonings; but by ill luck it weakened them: Solid reasons were given for the not using the method, but nothing can convince a headstrong Fool enamoured with the productions of his own brain: Neither is the Survey ridiculous, but so much of it as is his. And for the personal reflections, they are all very true, and are in relation to his practice; so that Merry Andrew hath acquit himself like a man of parts, in giving an answer, such as the subject deserved, or could bear; like a man Probity, in exposing one, whose design is to Cousin the World: And were Fool- Andrew a man of parts, he might Blush for his Book; but how it should Blush I do not understand. If he will not be advised to leave off his Tub-preaching, at least he would take care to cite the Scriptures right, for Faith is here set down for Hope.  
For Answer to the 9th, parag. I shall not condescend upon these men he charges with Impudence, and Folly, since he thought it not fit to name them; but sure I am, they have a larger share of both, than any of my acquaintance, if their Impudence or Folly come near his. The ancient practice in Fevers hath been more successful than his new practice, my assertion is as good as his denial, and much better grounded. If it be delusion to think to put off the world with Banter, etc. In such a weighty matter as this is, why hath he wrote a Book of Banter in this matter? and this very Letter of his is not free of it; for here is a new Essay of that kind, though the petulancy of some superficial Pates like the Authors, may be tickled, and Palates tinged with the same virulence of Malice with the Libelers, may be gratified with such scurrilities: So natural is this stile to him, that in spite of his Feigned Person, and other endeavours to conceal himself yet his speech still betrays him.  
There is nothing in the 10th, parag. That deserves observation.  
For Answer to the 11th, parag. The Survey sent him to Purgatory to Refine him from his Dross; but he, ever fertile of new methods, hath found out a new way of Refining himself, which is to Snuff him, as they do a Candle, that his virtue may shine more bright. Here we have a new Essay something in kin to Banter, to Enconter Malice cartel Envy, and to defy detraction and defamation.  
For Answer to the 12 parag he knows that D, Dal. and D, Dau. Entreated him not to publish his Schedule, yet out it came, so impossible is it to persuade Fools who are ever Fond of their own Productions And since he subjected his Schedule to the consideration of all Ingenious Physicians, he hath got the sentiments of some of them about it little to his satisfaction; but nothing but applause will please him, which no Ingenuous Physician can give.  
For Answer to the 13th parag. her's another Instance of his Fondness of his offspring. I shall allow him to compare himself to the Fattest fruit (he means the Apples of Sodom) or to the Fattest Dear Horns and all together for I shall not deny him a vegetable or sensitive Life: But to prefer himself to Themistocles who can endure this? That loftiness of mind has yet need of the Messenger of Satan.  
For Answer to the 14th parag. All the sober and serious Men here are comprehended within the number of two or three young Physicians, who think to be taken notice off by pretending to something new, and out of the common road; but if they have nor much honour of their Master, I leave it to every indifferent Person to judge. He did well not to end his Latin verse, lest he should fall into the same Solecisms he did last. A ridiculous piece ought to be treated inridicule, which is not so shame a way of reasoning. If the Survey had been such Merry Andrew stuff, it might have been the more easy answered by those who have so much Affinity to that kind of People; but it is a Pamphlet stuffed with so much reason and truth, that Dolphingtoun hath not found it convenient to attaque any particular part of it. But of all men alive why should Philander challenge Dr. Black for concealing his name.  
The rest of his Letter, is taken up in performing what the Schedule first prompted to be done. But were it not for fear to give offence to some Persons who do not desire their Relations to be named, the public should get a counterlist of those that have died under Dolphingtouns new method. I shall not question but some have escaped under this method, which only proves, that People though ill Treated may recover. But it is not at all reasonable that I should believe all those People had truly we Fever, since Dolphingtoun had the impudence to call that a Fever which two of the most eminent Physicians in Edinburgh said was none, what will he not say where he is sole Physician, and can meet with no contradiction. Upon the whole, that part of Hip. First Aph. may be very well applied here, Experientia Fallax.  
The Letter wrote by Malthus to Dr. Pitcarne came never to the Doctor's hands, and was never seen by any but Dolphingtoun, so not to be Credited, but said upon design: But let is be so as he would have it, will the Testimony of an Apothecary interessed upon Sydenham's Account, ruin a method approved by Thousands for many Hundred of Years, to establish a new one with such manifest contradiction? I think 'twill not.  
Though Dolphingtouns ridiculous Hypothesis was sufficiently refuted before in few words, yet finding some of our young Physicians applauding it, I thought it would not be amiss to touch it again. I do not think it strange for one of Dolphingtoun's Education to have such a confused notion of things, he having never been Abroad at any University to follow the study of Medicine by the advice and direction of able Professors appointed for that end: And having received his Degrees only at Aberdeen, where there is no profession of Medicine. Nothing less could have been expected from one who had never read the Institutions, had never seen any dissections, courses of Chemistry, nor heard any Colleges upon the practice of Medicine. But for others to pretend to have had a more liberal Institution, and yet robe Proselytes to Doctor Dolphingtouns; who can think they have any regard to their Reputation?  
There is nothing more absurd in all his Schedule than the, 7th and 8th, Sections about His Hypothesis of the Essence and cause of Fevers. Every Physician knows that the heart is a Muscle endued with spiral Fibres fitted for Contraction; that it hath two Ventricles for reception of the Blood in its dilatation; that it hath valvules of two kinds to hinder the return of the Blood from the Arteries to the heart again; that the Arteries have transverse Fibres, by which they contract themselves and press forward the Blood; 'Tis certain that every part that is contracted has an innate faculty to perform that Action, which is done by the influx of the animal Spirits into the Fibres of whatever kind they are. On the contrary it is as certain that all parts, that are dilated, can never dilate themselves, but when dilated they do ever suffer Violence from the humours, or what ever else they contain ('Tis true the Pharinx and the Cartilagines Aritenoides are dilated, not by any thing they contain, but by reason of the Muscles joined to the outside of either, so is the mouth dilated by the Muscles of the nether jaws.) 'Tis also certain that the Ventricles of the heart (every one of which containeth at least a dram of Blood when dilated) are of the same substance with the inner Coats of the Arteries and Veins, and are sensible of irritation; that in the dilatation of the Heart, the Quantity, the Heat, the Weight, and the Distension through the effervescence of the Blood do irritat it; that this irritation makes the heart contract itself without respect to a final Cause (as this Dreamer Fancies to himself; that at the same instant of the heart's contraction, the Blood is thrust out with Violence into the Aorta and by Continuity into all the Arteries of the Body, by which they are dilated, while the heart is contracted; and that the Pulse that strikes our Fingers, is nothing else but the Dilatation of the Arteries, occasioned by the contraction of the Heart at the same instant. For Dolphingtoun then to allow, that in a Fever the pulses are more frequent, and yet to say that the motion of the Blood is more slow, this is the greatest Nonsense one can be capable of For at every pulse I suppose but adragme of the Blood to bethrust into the Arteries by the contraction of the Heart, this Blood can not return because of the Valvules, forward it must go, otherways the Arteries should burst asunder; and consequently the more frequent the pulses are, the motion of the Blood must be the swifter.  
It has been always a received Opinion, that heat in a Fever is the effect of the rapide motion of the Blood Neither does Dolphingtoun's or Bontilo's objection destroy this position, for though the Blood Stagnat in an Inflammation, where the member is otherways affected with more than ordinary heat; yet there being such a quantity of extravased Blood, which does not coagulat, but is still fluid, because of the few Spirits it retains; And the capillary Arteries being distended with Blood, which is the cause of the pulse, where there was none 〈…〉; 'tis no wonder if that part be affected ●●●h more than ordinary heat, since it c●●●●ains more than ordinary Blood; for where there is much Blood there Is much heat. I shall only send Dolphingtoun home to Churn his Butter▪ to prove that there is heat in Fluids'; after a few hours motion of the Churn he will find the heat he denies; I use this Familiar instance, because he never found the heat that is raised, when the spirit of Vitriol is poured upon the Oil of Tartar, since he never saw the experiment. In immoderate motion of the Body there Is a frequent motion of the Blood, occasioned by the frequent motion of the Muscles, by this motion the heat is raised before there be any Consumption or Waste. In this motion likeways the Blood is rarified by the heat, the pores are opened, and sweat does for the most part follow: But because of the separation of the serous part, the Blood at length becomes more thick, which does not fall out till the pulse settle again; But this Fool mistakes always the cause for the Effect.  
His Diaphanous Blood, and his reflected, and refracted, rays of heat in the Body are nonsense not worth the refuting.  
After all, this ma●●●● 〈◊〉 not given us the definition of a Fever, 〈◊〉 which we may know its Nature, and E●●●●ce, and its difference from other Diseases. But being weary to answer a Fool in his Folly, I leave this Misanthrope to his own evil Genius, with this assurance, that whatever further he writes, shall never be thought worthy of my Consideration.  
FINIS.