Note 292 — ON THE THEORY AND ART OF PRESCRIBING. (continued 2)

The Mechanical Physicians attempted to adjust the doses of medicines according to the constitution, by a mathematical rule; thus they say, “the doses are as the squares of the Constitution.” And in the Edinburgh Medical Essays, there is actually a formal attempt to correct the errors of this rule. See “An Essay towards ascertaining the doses of vomiting and purging Medicines, by Dr. Charles Balguy, Physician at Peterborough.” Vol. 1. 167.