For Dr. Mackenzie's Book, "The History of Health," Etc. 1756

[From the MSS. Dyer strongly urged the composition and publication of this work. The third edition of it was published at Edinburgh in 1760.]
When long experience, with sagacious thought,
And learning, and benevolence, and care,
Retires to form a work for human use,
No vulgar gift expect. No vulgar gift
Is that which gives, to every good we taste,
Its pleasing relish. Who will not desire
To share preventive wisdom? far, far off,
To drive the hag, distemper? Health, preserved,
With far more vigour blooms than health restored.
So high has been the strain of gratitude,
That divine honours were to Phaebus given,
And Æsculapius, and the Coan sage,
Who the Mackenzies were of ancient days.