Produced by Paul Murray, Richard Cohen and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team. This file was produced from
images generously made available by the Bibliothèque
nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr.
[Transcriber's Note:
+ Hyphens splitting words across lines have been removed.
+ Original spellings have generally been retained, but
the Errata from the Second Edition (at the end), and
a mistake in the Errata (!) have been corrected
silently. The original text can be found in the HTML
version.
+ The Latin epigraph translates as: "They all represent
themselves as Doctors--The Uneducated, The Priest,
The Nurse, and The Barber, The _Apothecary_, The Old Woman."
]
Imprimatur,
Novemb. 13.
1669.
SAM. PARKER.
A
SHORT VIEW
OF THE
FRAUDS, and ABUSES
Committed by
APOTHECARIES;
As well in Relation to
PATIENTS, as PHYSICIANS:
AND
Of the only Remedy thereof by PHYSICIANS
making their own
MEDICINES.
BY
CHRISTOPHER MERRETT Dr. in Physic, Fellow of the College of
Physicians, and of the Royal Society.
----Fingunt se Medicos omnes, Idiota, Sacerdos, Nutrix, &
Tonsor, _Pharmacopæus_, Anus.
The Second Edition more correct.
LONDON,
Printed for James Allestry, Printer to the Royal Society, at the Rose
and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1670
A _Short View_ of the _Frauds_ and _Abuses_ committed by
_Apothecaries_, as well in Relation to _Patients_, as _Physicians_;
and of the only remedy thereof by _Physicians_ making their own
Medicines.
Doubtless it will seem strange to most men, that after 30 years not
unsuccessful practice in this great City, I should now at last forbear
sending my Bills to the Apothecaries, knowing that hereby a whole
Company of men interested in the World (who by their number, noise,
and tricks, may be able to decry any Physician) will become my
implacable adversaries, and by their private whispers of untrue tales,
will endeavour to their utmost, either to keep me from any new, or
shuffle me out of my fixed imployment. But not fearing the utmost
their malice can invent, or proclaim; I shall publickly assert what I
privately practice, preferring the publick good, and the honour of my
profession before my own private profit. And although I have had some
experience what their groundless anger can do, when they some years
since proclaimed me in their publick Hall their Enemy, for acting the
College Interest, and of late for saving my Patients lives and purses,
by dispencing gratis my Medicines. Yet I hope no indifferent person,
when he knows that I have thus long slighted their weak endeavours,
will believe I can now at length have so poor an end as revenge;
especially when they shall consider on the one hand, the universal and
daily complaints of both Patient and Physician, the great cause they
have to do so, and the little hope of a remedy, and on the other,
besides that general obligation all men have of doing their
Country-men good, and the particular necessity I have of justifying my
actions, by leaving the World their judg upon the account I shall here
deliver of them. And lastly, that which will leave my Enemies not any
objection, I take upon me not only a great trouble, but charge,
without any other design then doing mankind good, by endeavouring to
restore my profession to its ancient and deserved honours. And had I
none of these inducements, I am sure the vulgar excuse of friends
importunities may be satisfactory to all persons for my publishing
what I here do, when I must acknowledge that many of my Collegues and
other Practisers in several parts, upon reading these papers furnished
me not only with some bad practices of their own experience, but
thereupon enjoyed the publishing of them. So that in these papers I do
but speak the common language of all Physicians, and of very many
Patients. Neither are all their frauds and abuses here inserted, the
rest (perhaps more in number) being reserved to another opportunity. I
shall only add by way of preface; that the last year a Book was
printed on the same argument, by an inquisitive person, now Dr. in
Physic, which might have spared me this labour, but that it was too
large for every ones reading, and in some things short. It was his
fate to be called by them Fool, Ass, and Simple Fellow, and much worse
language, bragging that some of their Boys should answer him. But upon
more serious thoughts, the whole Company have suffered it to find the
credit it well deserves, without the least reply but that of
revilings.
In these ensuing papers, I hope to prove, that these abuses complain'd
of by all sorts of persons, arise from this only cause, that
Physicians dispence not themselves such Medicines, they use for the
relief of their Patients, but commit this work to the Apothecaries, or
rather their Servants.
Now the Apothecaries abuses generally relate either to the Medicines,
Patients, or Physicians; which three do comprehend all I shall say on
this subject.
But the Reader is to take notice, that all here charged on the
Apothecaries, is not meant of every single one, but of some, or more
of them, and may in a short time in all probability be verified of
them all, according as their number, cajoling the ignorant, and bold
daring in Physic increase.
But before I descend to particulars, I shall first lay down this
Proposition, their own confession, and in their own Language, viz.
That they may be the veriest Knaves in England. Because they may put
in bad ingredients, and more or less then the composition requires,
they may substitute one thing for another; and all this without being
detected, and consequently not be punished for such misdemeanors; but
more especially in Medicines for private mens uses, wherein they may
do what they please without the least discovery of the Patient, and
from this general confession of theirs, it clearly follows, that
whatsoever deceit, covetous wits can invent, may at least be suspected
to be used by them, and whatsoever is here alledged may find easier
belief.
And Secondly, Most men wonder, that this Corporation, being but of few
years standing, and to the setting up of whose Trade so small a Stock
is necessary; should live so high, spend so freely, gain so great
Estates, by their return of so little money yearly, which how 'tis
done every man may conceive to be effected by the following Artifices.
More particularly, the Frauds by them committed relate either to their
falsifying of Medicines, or secondly, to the number of their Bills,
and prescriptions, or thirdly, to the prices of them.
First, They use Medicines quite contrary to the prescription,
Myrtle-leafs shewed the Censors for Sena, a Binder for a Purger.
Mushroms of the Oak, &c. rub'd over with Chalk for Agaric, which Mr.
Evelyn in his late publisht Book of Forest Trees, pag. 27. observes,
to the great scandal of Physic as he adds; Hemlock-Dropwort Roots for
Pæony Roots, Poysons for wholesome remedies; Privet by some, by others
Dog-berries, for those of Spina Cervina, no Purgers for a strong one.
Sheeps Lungs for Fox Lungs, the Bone of an Oxe Heart for that of a
Stags Heart, Damsons for Damasc Prunes, Syrup of Limons, for that of
Citrons, Bryony Roots for Mechoacan, &c.
Secondly, They falsify the grand Compositions of the London
Dispensatory. It being a common trade with them to buy unsound, and
decayed Simples of some Druggists, and to return them back so much of
the composition as will pay for the Simples. Secondly, whereas
Apothecaries are bound to shew publickly to the Censors of the
College, and the Master and Wardens of their Company, Mithridate,
Diascordium, Alkermes, &c. Yet for all this some of them privately
make a great deal more of the Composition then is shewed, of unsound
Drugs, and some without any view at all; others put in the Scrapings
that ought to be thrown away; and by these Arts they under-sell, and
ruine one another, selling the Composition at a lower rate then good
Ingredients cost them; and with these complaints they daily mutiny
amongst themselves.
Thirdly, 'Tis very common for them to load Medicines with Honey, and
other cheaper ingredients, and to leave out in whole or in part, those
of greater value; viz. Saffron in Ruffus Pills, and in Oxycroceum
Plaster, which latter, they colour of a saffron colour with Turmeric,
Sanders &c. Ambergrise in Alkermes, Diascordium was found by the
Censors in their search made only of Honey, and Bole-Armeniac. Which
false composition was taken away by the then Master of the Company.
Such Chymists which sell preparations honestly made complain, that few
Apothecaries will go to the prices of them. Whence it comes to pass,
that most of the preparations found in the Shops are sophisticated, to
the great abuse of City and Country. These abuses daily increase since
the Censors, discouraged by the multitude of Empirics swarming in
every Corner, have omitted their wonted searches, being to their loss
of time, and expences out of their own Purses for the publick good
only. Now since the Chymical Oyls, by reason of their great prices are
most of them adulterated, and very few of them right good, and that
nothing hath been published on this matter, and to leave the buyers of
them unexcusable, I shall here add briefly, yet sufficiently the ways
to discover these Cheats. First for sweet-scented Chymical Oyls, viz.
those of Cloves, Cinnamon and Sassaphras. Only drop a little of them
into fair water, and that part which is true good will sink under the
water, but the adulterated part will swim on the top of it. Some
others draw deep tinctures from the said Spices with Spirit of Wine
highly rectified, and sell them for the Oyls; but these mix with the
water throughout, neither swimming, nor sinking. Others more craftily
digest with the said tinctures some of the true Oyls, which compound
being put into water, will for a time render it white. Another way of
sophisticating is with Oyl of Turpentine mixed in great quantity with
that which is adulterated; You may easily discover the Oyl of
Turpentine, by setting it on fire, for it yields abundance of
ill-scented smoak, with very little savour of the Herb, Flour, or
Seed, &c. and soon takes fire. To correct the ill smell of the
Turpentine, they digest it with, and distil it off with Spirit of
Wine. Those sophisticated with Turpentine, fired in a Silver Spoon
colour it, and quickly diffuse themselves upon a Knife, or Paper. The
best way to try by firing, is to put a drop or two of these Oyls on
the end of a broad pointed Knife, which being first heated, and then
thrust into a lighted Candle, presently take fire, and break out into
a flame with much dark smoak; but if you will try them in a Spoon,
heat it first over a Candle, and then blow the flame of lighted paper,
or of a Wax Candle on them. To try the scent, blow out the flame of
the good Oyls, and your smell will soon discover the ill scent of the
Turpentine from that of the good Oyl. But on the contrary, all Oyls
drawn from Plants by distillation hardly flame, and the flame soon
goes out, and the smoak gives a full flavour of the Plant it self,
whereas those sophisticated as before, differ from the true in both.
The same Oyls are also sophisticated with cheap ones drawn from
decayed Oringes, and Limons; Your smell on firing will soon discover
these mixtures. A third way of sophisticating Chymical Oyls is, by
mixing with them such Oyls as are made by expression, which are easily
discovered by rubbing them on white paper, which being held and dryed
at the fire, the Chymical part soon flyes away, and leaves the paper
transparent, looking no otherwise then oyled paper; but pure Chymical
Oyls totally fly away, leaving the paper white as 'twas before, and
not transparent, and in this way Oyl of sweet Almonds and Spike have a
great share. As for Oyls drawn by Retort, they all of them smell so
strong of the fire, that neither smell nor tast can well discover any
fraud in them. Now for the fixed Salts, most of them are made of the
Ashes of Tobacco-stalks, &c. More might be said for the discovery of
the Cheats of other Chymical preparations, which shall be reserved to
another opportunity, and had Physicians just encouragement, they would
spend both their time and moneys on the like discoveries for the
publick Utility.
Fifthly, Add to the former (though perhaps 'tis an error of ignorance
only) that if such Simples are prescribed they know not, they fetch
from the Herb-women what they give them, true or false; for many of
these Women give to very many Plants false names; Now if the
Apothecary be so careful to consult an Herbal, which few have, and
fewer know how to make use of, yet they too frequently mistake the
thing by reason of several names given to the same thing, or of one
name to several things, and many of them consult the common
Dictionaries only, which are most erroneous in the names of natural
things; insomuch that in my first practice (being curious of these
particulars) I have found two or three mistakes in one prescription, a
Catalogue of which mistakes, and names ill given, I had collected, but
the late fire consumed it, though many of them my memory hath
reserved.
Sixthly, Many of the London, and most of the Country-Apothecaries, buy
of the whole-sale men, who affirm of one another, especially of such
who gain great Estates in short time, that they cannot sell their
Medicines honestly made at so low a rate as they do.
Seventhly, I shall need to say little of such distilled waters, as
discover themselves neither to smell, nor tast, but shall only recite
a known Story of an Apothecary, who chid his man for sending away a
Customer that came for Plantan water, telling him there was enough at
the Pump.
Eighthly, As for Ointments, and Plasters, they are sold by some at so
low a price, viz. 3 d. per l. for Ointments, as I have been informed,
that 'tis not possible to make them at, and yet such however falsifyed
maintain a trade amongst Country, and low-priced City-Apothecaries,
and the Chirurgeons profess they cannot effect their Cures with the
Shop-Medicines, and that this is the reason why they make their own
Oyls, Oyntments, &c. as the Apothecaries Charter allows them to do;
and why may not Physicians think this to be the cause why they
sometimes fail in their Cures, as well as Chirurgeons? and also make
their own Medicines as well as they, especially since the Apothecary
may as easily falsify, and to greater profit in the one, then in the
other?
Ninthly, As to their use of bad or decayed Drugs, 'tis so common a
practice that I shall need to give but one notorious instance of it,
and 'tis this, I having occasion to use some Seeds, sent for them to a
Seeds-man, the Messenger desiring to have those of the same Year. The
Tradesman knowing him to live with me, asked, if they were for
Physical use, he replyed in the affirmative, whereat he presently
shewed him others, which were of 6 or 7 years old (as he confessed)
affirming them to be as good for that use as the newest, which he sold
only for sowing, and that he kept the others, though never so old, for
the Apothecaries only, who still asked for them, buying them though 20
years old, not regarding if they were decayed and wholy effete (for no
Seed will preserve its vegetative faculty above 7 years much less its
Physical) so they could but have them cheap. Besides their pretty
knacks (as they call them) of making their Compounds fair to the eye,
more vendible, but worse for use, by restoring them to their colour
and consistence, that they may pass for good, which perhaps 'tis
better to pass over in silence, lest by confuting I should teach the
younger Fry, who may better be honestly ignorant of them. Now for
their substituting one thing for another, and detracting where they
please, I shall add but one Story of an Apothecary, who commanded his
man (who told him they had no good Rhabarb in the house) that he
should put in double quantity of what they had. Nay I have known one
simple of a quite different nature used for a whole composition.
Tenthly, I shall conclude this ungrateful Discourse, with saying that
by reason more frauds may be committed by the Apothecaries, then by
any other Trade, and by supposition that gain will tempt most men to
dishonest actions, especially where they may act undiscovered; I say;
that this seems to be the cause why they have two Supervisors set over
them more then any Company that I know of, viz. the Censors of the
College of Physicians, and the Master and Wardens of their own
Company.
The next thing is the inlarging and multiplying their Bills and
Medicines.
First, When in Chronical Diseases a Physician is consulted, they go on
of their own heads with the same prescription, frequently enough to
the Patients great disadvantage, both of health and purse.
Secondly, By giving and intermixing Medicines of their own Phancy,
with the Physicians prescriptions, viz. some pleasing Medicine,
whereby too often the Physicians intention is quite crost, and the
effect made uncertain, and hazardous.
Thirdly, By giving Medicines themselves on small accounts, and such as
require only a good ordering, and no more.
Fourthly, By repeating long courses of Physic unadvisedly, and
needlesly, when either nothing, or very little is needful to be done.
Fifthly, By creating diseases in easie mens Phansies, and so decoying
them into courses of Physic.
Sixthly, Some of them get private and worthless receipts, and sell
them at what rate they please; Mr. Delaune by one Pill alone, though
not a very safe one, got some thousands of pounds.
Seventhly, If one of them get a private receipt from a Physician
called by the inventor his Nostrum, if another Apothecary have
occasion to use it, he shall be sure to pay sawce for it.
Eighthly, Another trick is when the Patient is cured, and the
Physician therefore hath given over his Visits, then comes the
Apothecary and insinuates by his words and passions, either some
danger of relapse, or some other present distemper, and repairs to the
Physician for a Bill to cure the imaginary disease.
Ninthly, But their principal Art of all is, to cry up, and bring in to
Patients such Physicians, who through design must comply with the
Apothecaries Interest, and such Practisers they extol and cry up for
good Physicians, which some of them call more expresly good
Apothecaries Physicians, and such without doubt, the whole Company
will endeavour to raise unto a fame and practice. But such as write
only for the good of the Patient, and not at all for the benefit of
the Apothecary (as all honest men ought to do) they will endeavour to
prevent their calling in, or to shuffle them out.
Now this good Apothecaries Physician, they describe by his frequent
though needless visits, but especially by the multitude of his Bills,
by his visiting twice a day, or oftner (a very careful and painful
Doctor) and by still writing new Medicines, when half the former, or
perhaps none of them have been taken, making an Apothecaries Shop in
the Patients House, planting the Cupboards and Windows with Glasses
and Gally-Pots, and not a quarter of the whole made use of. He
prescribes a Medicine for every slight complaint, and never goes away
from the Patient or the Patient from him, without a Bill, for fear of
the Apothecaries grumbling.
And from this burdening the sick with multiplicity of Medicines, too
often contrary to, and destructive one of another, it proceeds that in
the Small Pox, and Measles, many are afraid to use Physicians, and
commit the care of the sick to Nurses, and Old Women, and perhaps
sometimes not without cause, for by continual multiplication of
Medicines, the humours of the body may be made, or kept in too great a
state of fluidity, whence the Flox followeth. Whereas a Medicine or
two duly administred, may suffice to bring them well forth, and then
there needs no more but good ordering, unless perhaps some accident
arise, which may require further care. And here as well as in other
Cases, the Patient is to be rectified, who requires the Physicians
Visits, and yet dismisseth him without a reward, unless he writes a
Bill, whereas it might have been better if nothing at all had been
prescribed; and the Physician left to his own judgment; and hence it
is that many enlarge their Bills, that the Patient may think he hath
enough for his money, whereby the Apothecary is gratified, who ought
to commend the Medicines as necessary for the sick person, and
singular in themselves, whereas in truth this great farcy proves
ungrateful to the tast and stomach; inconvenient to health, by curing
one disease, but creating more; and by this means keeping them
continually in a way of Physic.
A third abuse of the Apothecaries relates to the prices of their
Medicines; first they put what rates they please on their Simples,
Compounds, and Receipts, and none are judges of them, but those of
their own Trade; insomuch that they gain a 11 d. in the Shilling, if
they say true of themselves. Whereas the Colleges of Physicians beyond
Sea, yearly set a tax upon the Simples, and Compounds of the Shops. So
that the Customer can tell the price of what he hath occasion to use,
and not stand at the mercy of the Apothecary to rate them as he lists,
and to this purpose they put in print the prices of them every year.
Secondly, Suppose a Physician hath prescribed a Pint of Juleb, &c. to
be taken at four several times, some Apothecaries carry not the whole
pint at once, but divide it into four parts, and carry but one at a
time, and so of other Medicines, and then will charge their Bill for
every single Potion, or Draught, as they ought the whole Pint; so that
by this Art they gain four times as much for the whole Medicine as in
Conscience they ought; and a Juleb, which cost them six pence, will be
rated at 10, 12, or more Shillings. But perhaps 'tis fit they should
be paid for their created Visits; and for this unnecessary
officiousness, persons of great estates may be contented to pay
roundly, if they please.
Thirdly, When a Physician hath prescribed 20 Pills, some of the
Apothecaries will make 30 of them, under pretence the Patient cannot
swallow them else; now reckoning each Pill at a certain rate (as they
usually do) they gain a third part more then they ought.
Fourthly, To advance the prices, you shall hardly ever see a Bill
without Bezoar, or Pearls in it, to make people think them very
chargeable; whereas sometimes there is not above a grain or two of
these dear ingredients in the prescription, and a few grains of these
or Ambergrise doubles or trebles the prices of the Medicines, and are
sure never to be omitted in their Bills, besides the guilding of the
Pills, and covering their Bolusses, and Electuaries with Gold (which
have only an imaginary and no real use in Medicines so used) much
inhanseth their prices, and a rich Cordial inserted exceedingly
advanceth most of their Bills; or if China or any other dear
ingredient be in the receipt 'tis not omitted.
Fifthly, Some Apothecaries offer, and perhaps some Physicians have
taken presents to help them to Customers, which must necessarily be
squeazed out of their higher-rated Medicines.
Sixthly, I have heard some prudent persons complain of their bringing
in their Bills but once in a year, or two; supposing they made them
pay Lombards Usury for their forbearance. And through this neglect
they sometimes lose their money, and whether they raise other Mens
Bills to make up these losses, I affirm not.
Seventhly, Another cause of raising their prices is a necessity of
keeping in their Shops such Medicines as are seldom used, or such as
must upon necessity decay, and grow useless. Now suppose they throw
such away, this reason is good, but you will find a remedy for this
hereafter.
To conclude this second Complaint. By reason of the dear Bills of the
Apothecaries, many are deterred from going to the Physician, and run
to common Mountebanks, and I think this to be the reason (as some
disabused persons have confessed to me) why they have so much cryed up
the abilities of Apothecaries for practice, because they would save
their credit in taking Physic of them. St. Augustine candidly in his
Book of Confessions declares, that through covetousness he repeated a
course of Physic, without consulting the Physician (who had before
cured him of the same disease) to his greater charge, danger of his
life, and offence against God.
Having done with the Apothecaries abuses relating chiefly to the
Patients Health and Purse, and such as are willfully committed (though
all of them reflect on the Physician) I shall now touch on a few
neglects, and mistakes proving often very mischievous.
First, They frequently mistake the Physicians directions, which of
what dangerous consequence it is, every one can tell.
Secondly, They carry a Medicine appointed for one sick person to
another.
Thirdly, They often neglect the sending of Medicines in due time,
especially such as have no Servants, or but raw ones, when the Master
is out of Town, or upon long visits.
Having now done with the Apothecaries as they relate principally to
the sick, I shall in the next place speak of them, as they relate to
Physicians, and that either to the profession in general, or to the
particular practisers of it.
As to the Physicians in general, they endeavour to extirpate them, and
some have been so bold to say, they hope in few years to see never a
Physician in London, and to profess they will scramble with them for
practice. And that this hath been and is their intention, the
following particulars will clearly demonstrate.
First, They have always endeavoured and aimed at the depression and
ruine of the College of Physicians, the only Corporation of that Art
in England, considering rightly, that the depression of the College is
their interest and rise, and that the total subversion of it will make
them absolute Masters in Physic and Physicians their Servants. In
Order hereunto they have constantly, both publickly and privately
opposed the College in whatsoever hath been offered to setle the
liberty of practice on them, their only priviledg and subsistence,
though they have been offered all they could desire for the security
of their Trade, and legal employment, and far beyond whatsoever any
Corporation of Apothecaries in all, or in any forreign part enjoy, yet
nothing would ever content them, but an unlawful, unreasonable,
dangerous, and destructive Usurpation of liberty to some pretended
practice, that thereby they might gain the whole.
Secondly, They have continually traduced the College, and troubled
them in Parliaments, at the Council-Board, &c. to their great charge
and molestation. And for such their great demerits against the
College, the King and his Council, Anno 1639. granted a Quo Warranto
to the Attorney General (the Judges having first heard the whole
matter) to take away their Charter, which doubtless had been effected,
had not the troubles, and long civil War immediately ensued.
Thirdly, And in this present Parliament, how did they endeavour to
prepossess the Members of the House of Commons with strange, and false
prejudices and assertions drawn from irrational, and groundless
suppositions, making us the greatest Tyrants in the World, inferring
ridiculously that a Lady, or Charitable Gentlewoman (for in that
believing Sex they have gain'd a great deal of ground by their
falsities) might not give the Poor a Cordial, &c. without being
questioned by the College; whereas they know in their Consciences,
that the College hath power enough by their first Charter to act as
much in this kind against themselves, and all other persons, as they
desired of this present Parliament; And yet neither Apothecary, or any
other who practised charitably, were ever troubled for so doing. They
pretended also they were abridged wholy from their Trade, and might
not sell a penny-worth of Mithridate, &c. without a Doctors Bill.
Whereas there's not a word in the Charter to that purpose; the sole
intent whereof was to keep them as well as other Mountebanks, from
prescribing (which they call selling) the Physicians only livelyhood.
And as to the bill itself so much railed on by them in
Westminster-Hall, Coffee-Houses, Ale-Houses, &c. 'tis easie to make it
out, that this Charter as proposed gives the Apothecaries more liberty
and freedom of exercising their lawful Trade, then is enjoyed in any
other Nation, where both Corporations are erected, and that it doth in
nothing infringe, or diminish their freedom as Citizens, or their
Charter as Apothecaries; and that our Charter was compiled by some,
and perused and approved by others the most eminent Lawyers in England
for Worth and Place; and yet none of these could find any thing in it
either Illegal, Tyrannical, or unfit to be desired of the Parliament.
Nay many mis-informed Members being rightly instructed in the true
state of the matter, have acknowledged the justice of it; And was no
more then King James by his Letters Patents, dated the 18th of
October, in the 15th year of his Reign, granted to the said College;
near about the same time the Apothecaries Charter was granted; and
being almost nothing else but a supply of what was short in their
former Grants, viz. That whereas their Charter granted by King Henry
the Eighth, gave power to punish offenders in the practice of Physic;
and because there was no power given to summon, nor penalty imposed
for the non-appearance of such offenders; therefore by their
non-appearance, the said power of the Censors was eluded; for no such
offenders would appear before them, and consequently no punishment
could be inflicted on them, according to the true meaning of the said
Act. Now this Charter so much declaimed against, prayed only a supply
of this defect, and also better and more necessary ways and means,
without which, such and all other offenders against the lives and
healths of his Majesties Subjects could not be discovered; and they
had reason not to doubt a grant of the said power, since by the said
Charter a power was granted them to imprison offenders, whom the
Keepers of the Prisons would not receive, because no command, nor
penalty was imposed on them, for not receiving such offenders sent by
the Censors (a thing ridiculous to our present Lawyers) however this
defect was supplyed by an Act in the first of Queen Mary. Now whereas
since the making of the said Acts and Powers, granted to the College,
several other Trades, besides the Apothecaries, relating to Physic
(being then all Members of the Grocers Company) viz. Druggists,
Chymists, Sellers of Strong-Waters and Oyls, have arose distinct from
each others, and many abuses have been and are committed in each of
them, as they all confess. The said Charter prays for the publick good
only (there being the same reason of all) they might have the same
power of Surveying them also, as they have of the Apothecaries, which
most of the Judicious, and sober of the said Companies, as well in
relation to their own private profit, and also the publick, by having
all Medicines good, did not oppose, but liked well of. Nay there was
nothing in the said Charter, but what was judged good by all or most
of the Judges of England, several times convened by Order of the King
and his Council, to deliver their opinions concerning some Quæries,
which comprised the main of what was desired and petitioned for by the
College, of this present Parliament. But before the Committee could
make report to the House, the Parliament was adjourned, whereupon
Apothecaries falsly gave out, and made people believe our Charter was
taken from us. And in this transaction before the Committee, one
Cocket an Apothecary exhibited in the name of the Chymists such a
Scandalous Libel, as the Committee would not suffer to be read; drawn
as some conceive by the assistance, and countenance, if not
contrivance of his Company.
Lastly, The Company of the Apothecaries are bound by their Charter to
bring their Servants (before they make them Free) to be examined by
the Censors of our College, and to have their approbation of their
fitness to exercise their Art, and set up their Trade. Now that they
have herein neglected their duty, and consequently may be
dis-franchised and lose their Freedoms for this omission, 'tis
manifest not only by the vapours of some of them to some members of
our Body, that they never underwent this examination; but also by
comparing of our Register (wherein are recorded the names of all such
as have been examined) with theirs, if they keep any for this purpose.
Sure I am, that in two years together, when I was Censor, very few, if
any, did appear to their examination, whereas yearly a very great
number set up their Trades. Nay since the firing of London not one
Apothecaries Servant hath been examined by the Censors, for more then
these three Years last past, in which time perhaps no less then 100
have been made free by the Company.
Before our presenting this Charter to the Parliament, they would admit
no Arbitrators betwixt our Corporation, and Theirs, not contenting
themselves with their Charter lately granted in King James's Reign,
and that by the procurement of some of our College for these
unthankful persons. For they would not refer themselves (as the
Chirurgeons without many words or dispute did) to the most upright,
and most knowing Sir Orlando Bridgeman then Lord Chief Justice, and
now Lord Keeper, for a clause to be by him drawn, in order to preserve
their immunities and Charter; which they refused, fearing belike he
would exclude them from the Practice of Physic, which the Law hath
already done, and which is all they could doubt of; but the
Corporation of Chirurgeons did acquiesce in the clause drawn by the
said Lord Chief Justice, and never appeared before the Committee
against the said Charter.
Their increasing dis-respect, and undervaluing the College, appears in
this, that of late years they place our Censors invited to their new
Masters Dinner, at their second Tables whereas always heretofore they
were seated at the first Table, next to the Master of the Company.
And to hinder the building of a New College, and the Contribution of
the Honorary Fellows thereunto, they tell them that we deceived them
in their admission, and never intend the building of a New College,
though a large contribution hath been made, and ground purchased in
order thereunto by the Members of their Corporation.
And their further design appears in their great triumphing, and
rejoycing when any illiterate person hath gained any reputation for a
Cure performed, especially where Physicians have been concerned,
though the Patients neglect or obstinateness, have been the sole cause
of this non-performance, and by their continued detraction from
Physicians, and applauding themselves, hoping by the former, that
people will think such Mountebanks able to do better Cures then
learned Physicians, and then they can easily insinuate themselves
superior to such Mountebanks, and consequently to Physicians. By the
latter, they seek to depress, and level us to themselves, being
conscious they can never rise to that worth and ability, required in a
Physician.
Another manifest sign of their endeavour to usurp our Practice is,
their absurd calling the sick their Patients, for 'tis most certain
that in all reason and language the Physician and Patient only have
relation to each other, but not to the Apothecary, who is but a
Tradesman, and manual Operator. Now a Tradesman and his Customer, or
Chapman, are Relatives each to other, but those Apothecaries who
intrude themselves and usurp on our profession, may call their
Customers Patients, and that in a true literal sence, when by their
ignorance they make them really sufferers under them; and if they deny
Apothecary and Patient to be non-sence, they shew themselves pitifully
ignorant in the Laws, and Rules of Reason, or else profess themselves
Physicians. And the like non-sence they commonly utter by calling
Physicians that make their own Medicines, Mountebanks and Quacks,
whereas none can be such but those who practise without Lawful
Authority, as the Apothecaries, &c. do; and they are not ignorant in
this their malice, that the Law of England would punish them roundly
for so saying. And were I troublesome or vindicative, I could make
some of them examples, but I freely remit the slanders in this kind
that are past.
Having done with the main part of the Disease, next follows the
Remedy; and the only firm and proper one will appear to be, that
Physicians make their own Medicines; the benefit whereof to the
publick, the reasonableness of the thing it self, the necessity in
relation to the Physician, will be manifest by that which follows.
And First, All that hath been said demonstrates this last proportion.
Secondly, The desire of most persons, and the censure of all wise men,
who say we are wanting to our own interest, if we make not use of the
remedy in our own hands, performing our Art in all its members,
whereof making of Medicines is a chief one.
Thirdly, The common practice, and constant usage of all former and
antient Physicians in all other Nations, and in England also (for 'tis
easie to say when there was not one Apothecary in this Kingdom) the
Laws of our Nation, nay even the Apothecaries Charter allow it, the
Language of all Physicians, our College voting it honourable so to do,
nay Apothecaries themselves commending it in such Physicians as buy
their Medicines of them.
Fourthly, The Kings Physicians have formerly made the Kings Medicines,
as 'tis manifest by my Lord Coke, in his 4th. Book of the Institutes,
part 4. pag. 251. where he comments on Rot. Pat. 32 H 6. m. 17. He
there first recites the Roll it self, wherein are appointed (the King
being then sick) 3 Physicians and 2 Chirurgeons, to freely minister
and execute Physic about the Kings Person, and there are also recited
in general, Medicines external, and internal. And on this Roll Coke
among other things infers, that the Physicians may use the aid of
those Chirurgeons named in the Warrant, but of no Apothecary, but to
prepare and do all things themselves, &c. And the reason of all this
is, the precious regard had of the health and safety of the King, who
is the head of the Common-wealth. And I am told by one of his present
Majesties Physicians, that the King himself affirmed heretofore we are
unwise in neglecting our duty herein, and lately of these papers, that
'twas the publick interest so to do.
Fifthly, Chirurgeons (as before) will not trust them to make external
Remedies; and the King, and East-India Company commit the making of
their Chests for their Fleets to the Chirurgeons.
Sixthly, Have not Ladies and Charitable Gentlewomen their Closets well
furnished with various Medicines for the Poors use, and for their own
also, when Physicians are called to their houses in the Country?
Distillers of Strong-waters, Makers of Plaisters, Confectioners make
Medicines bought by the Apothecaries, Ale-Houses sell purging Drinks,
and Book-sellers sell Chymical Medicines, and all this without much
regret of the Apothecaries. But if a Physician intermix a Medicine
with theirs, though the Patients life be saved thereby, what noise,
and murmuring, and proclaiming of it the next Market-day to the rest
of their Company? to what purpose any one may judg.
Seventhly, Why should not Physicians, being lawfully authorized
thereunto, practise with their own Medicines, as well as the
Apothecaries with theirs, though against Law, and incurring thereby
the penalty of 5l. per Month, which the College never troubled them
for, or exacted of them?
Eighthly, Physicians will be necessitated to it for their subsistence
and honour, and to preserve their Art from being prostituted to
illiterate persons, the Apothecaries becoming now their Competitors.
Ninthly, By this means Physicians will avoid multitudes of
inconveniencies, proceeding from writing of Bills, and the
Apothecaries Visits.
First The mistakes, and frauds in the Ingredients, especially
committed by the great practising Apothecaries, who may, as appears by
the following story, be suspected to send, instead of what was
prescribed, the remains of his own practice, or else some cast-by
Medicines; for else how could it be when a Medicine was prescribed to
stand in Infusion or steep a whole night, that it should be brought
two hours after the Bill was written, even the very same Evening?
Which by accident the Patient confessed, wanting the expected success.
Secondly By this course Physicians avoid the many opprobrious terms
cast upon them by Apothecaries:
As First, In saying that if he had not omitted or added something, the
Patient might have miscarried; which he may say at pleasure without
any contradiction, though doubtless many have been killed by this
means.
Secondly, By saying the Bill could never have been made without some
alteration of the Apothecary, thereby insinuating the Doctors
ignorance in compounding.
Thirdly, In saying the Doctor is not versed in Medicines, because
forsooth he varieth not at every Visit, and multiplieth not new Bills
for the Apothecaries profit.
Fourthly, In saying they teach Physicians, and help them to, and in
their practice. The first and last are vile and foolish Scandals; as
to the Second, 'tis true indeed, that younger Apothecaries recommend
Physicians to their acquaintance; but 'tis no longer then they have
learned enough (as they think) to set up for themselves.
Fifthly, In saying, they knew before-hand what such a Doctor would
prescribe, and hence it is they have nick-named some Physicians of no
mean practice, by the Medicines they frequently use, which names in
respect to the persons, I shall conceal; and of such Physicians, they
brag they can prescribe as well as they. But if a Physician advise
things unknown to them, or out of the common tract, then they say the
Doctor intends to puzzle them.
Sixthly, He will avoid the censure of his Bills, which every pitiful
fellow, nay their very Boys will absolve or condemn at pleasure, and
that openly too, nay sometimes to the Patient himself, and thereby
call in his good Apothecaries Physician. Now what a shame is it, that
a Physicians credit and livelihood, should stand at the mercy of such
pitiful ignorant, and self-ended Souls? I have heard one of them say
of the now most Eminent Practiser in London, that his Boy could write
as good a Method as he, and that he understood the practice of Physic
as well as any Physician in London except 2, or 3, though the same
person was soon made to confess, he neither knew the Disease, Cause,
nor Cure of a Pleurisy, pretended to be throughly understood by him.
Thirdly, He will avoid the trouble put upon him after he hath writ his
Bill, by the Apothecaries ignorance in not understanding it, who to be
informed came to the Doctor heretofore, with their Hats off, but now
send their Boys, who soon put theirs on. Such respect do they give
Physicians, when they come to them as to their Masters to teach them.
Fourthly, He will avoid the impertinent Visits of the Apothecaries,
and non-sensical, troublesome, and discouraging, frightful discourses
to the Patient, of whom no man can expect more then the Common Proverb
gives to Praters, and impertinent Speakers, That they talk like
Apothecaries.
Fifthly He will avoid the mischiefs from their Visits, who by their
shrugs, signs, or words, may diminish the Physicians reputation, and
good opinion, whether in his skill, or Medicines, whereby good
Medicines are neglected and the expectation of a good success upon the
use of them taken away, or at least causing an averseness to them;
which actings do exceedingly prejudice the Patient, in reference to
his Cure.
Sixthly, He will avoid this inconvenience, that some Apothecaries have
attributed the Cure to some of their intermixed Medicines, or
alteration of the Doctors Bill.
Seventhly, He will avoid that incivility of such of them, who in the
Physicians presence, will feel the Pulse, judg of the Urine, discourse
the Cause, Nature, what the Disease is, and what will be the issue of
it, propose Medicines, nay sometimes endeavour to advise with the
Physician, to contradict and dispute with him, to compare and set
himself above the Physician; and to say truth, these odious and
intolerable Comparisons and intrusions daily complained of by my
Collegues, were a great cause of my departing from them.
Eighthly, He will avoid those Scandals they have opportunity to raise,
that such a Physician is Covetous, Proud, Negligent, and minds not his
practice, and the like without the least ground, and are frequently by
such Artifices, the Cause of introducing another Physician, knowing
that thereby more Bills will come to their File, and many times the
former Medicines be layed aside, and in this shuffling in and out of
Physicians, they have commonly a great share.
Ninthly, Apothecaries being now Competitors with Physicians for
practice, and down-right Enemies to such as make their own Medicines;
why should not we suspect them of this false Play, by telling the
Patient the Doctors Medicine will not work (which he knows well enough
how to effect) and then to tell him he will prepare him one of his own
that will work, when perhaps that he calls his own preparation, was
nothing but what the Doctor had prescribed before; and by this
Artifice to advance himself above the Physician.
Another mischief in sending Bills to the Apothecaries is, that though
the Apothecaries be honest (and who can tell which of them is so?) yet
the Servants neglect, or ignorance (to whom they commit the whole care
of dispensing, and are intruth the Apothecaries (and not their
Masters) may mar all in their Masters absence, who is visiting abroad,
or at his recreations.
And now I have done with the unpleasant talk of raking into the faults
of the Apothecaries, and with discoursing how Physicians may save
themselves from their devices, I shall next shew the advantages that
will come to the Patient, the Physician, and people, by this way of
remedy proposed.
As for the Patients, they may hereby save most of the great charges of
Apothecaries Bills, which in long Cases amount to very great sums in a
year, although the Physician hath received very few Fees; the
Physician may so order his business as to take his Fee for his Visits
only, and at home such competent Fees for his advice alone, as are
usually given, and in both Cases take nothing for his Medicines, and
so save the Patient the whole charge of the Apothecaries Bill, which
very seldom comes short, and for the most part manifoldly exceeds the
Physicians Fees. And this he may very well do by making fewer, less
chargable, more effectual, and durable Medicines then the Shops
afford, and suffer nothing in the non-use, or decay of his Medicines;
because he need make no more then will serve his own practice: and I
must here profess, that which I intended not to have published, that
this is the course I have generally taken, for the four Months last
past, since I made my own Medicines, but that some Apothecaries have
given out most falsly, that I have sent in Bills to Patients for
money; but to convince such of their wonted lying, I do hereby oblige
my self to give 100 pound to any of them that shall produce such a
Bill. Secondly, This way will not clog the Patient with more Medicines
then are needful, nor will omit anything may conduce to his recovery,
for if he fails in either, 'tis to his prejudice, either in spending
more Medicines which cost him money, or in not performing his Cure,
which loseth his practice.