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 intereſſed 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 fixt imployment. But not fearing the utmoſt their malice can invent, or proclaim; I ſhall publickly aſſert what I privately practiſe, 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 enjoyned 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 Paeony Roots, Poyſons for wholſome 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 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 illſcented 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 diſtilit 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 • iring, 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 • ire, 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. 3d. 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 Seedſman, 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 11d. 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 Cold (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 it ſelf 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 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 Quaeries, 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 Table; 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, a •… the Contribution of the Honorary Fellows thereunt • they tell them that we deceived them in their adm •… on, 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 their 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 propoſition.

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 Chirurgeors, 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 will 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.

Fiſthly, 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.

Fiſthly, 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 taſk 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 any thing 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.

But I do not propoſe this courſe of mine as a general rule to all Phyſicians, but leave this to every mans private judgment; Neither do I hereby bind my ſelf to the ſame practice, becauſe ſome few Caſes may fall out (though to an equal advantage to the Patient) may perſwade me to the contrary. For I find ſome perſons of that perſwaſion, as to think they have not given ſatisfaction, unleſs they have payed for the Medicines; but to ſuch perſons, I have always allowed them to give me what they pleaſed themſelves, for the cure only, to the full ſatisfaction of both parties. Though I will not deny but ſome perſons out of gratitude for their Cure, have rewarded me beyond this propoſal. Some of my acquaintance have deſired me to be more plain in this laſt Paragraph, eſpecially in that part of it where I ſay I do not bind my ſelf to the ſaid practice; and to declare more fully the Caſes that may perſwade me to the contrary; which are theſe and ſuch as theſe. Firſt, Where Patients of their own free offers will contract with the Phyſician • , or have formerly too meanly rewarded him for his Cure, in both which the Statutes of our College allow a contract to be made with Patients. Another caſe is, if a Phyſician be conſulted once, and for his Fee hath given Medicines gratis, if the Patient frequently ſend for his Medicines without the leaſt reward at all. Or if the Patient living far in the Country, having (as before) once conſulted the Phyſician, as in the laſt caſe, and ſhall for weeks, nay months, ſend for the ſame Medicines. Or if the Patients friend ſhall recommend a Medicine to another friend of his unknown to the Phyſician; and where he gives no Counſel, if a Phyſician in the Country ſhall deſire ſome of his Medicines, which are all the caſes that occur at preſent; I ſay in ſome of theſe, the Phyſician muſt needs be payed for his Medicines; but in other, 'tis rational he ſhould be payed for his advice, as he deſireth new Medicines, which charge will be far ſhort alſo of the Apothecaries Medicines, whether repeated or preſcribed upon new advice.

Now the great charge of Apothecaries Bills, and nauſeouſneſs of their Medicines, appears to be the cauſe why long habitual diſeaſes, as the Kings Evil, Falling-Sickneſs, Convulſions, Melancholies, and Winds in the Bowels, Gouts, &c. become ſeldom relieved, though they may with a conſtant, facile way, be perfectly cured, where neither the great charge, not unpleaſantneſs of Medicines, deterr them from a continued neceſſary uſe of Remedies. And for the ſame reaſons many will be kept from relapſes, who being tired out with taking variety of Medicines, give over before the tone and ſtrength of their parts is reſtored, which is neceſſary to be done in all long Diſeaſes.

He may ſo contrive his Medicines, firſt, That they may be taken in ſmall quantity, and be made more grateful to the taſt, and ſtomach, and perform more then thoſe of the Apothecaries, commonly ſlovenly made, and of themſelves Fulſom, Nauſeous, and Sluggiſh. Secondly, His Medicines made for particular perſons, may laſt Weeks, Months, nay Years, whereas the Apothecaries Drinks, eſpecially in the Summer time, muſt be renewed once, or twice every day, to the exceſſive charge of the Patient.

That his Medicines may be fewer, is evident in Phyſicians that practiſe in the Country, who ride far to Patients, and carry in their Mans Cloak-bag, Medicines enough, not only for the perſon he is ſent to, but alſo for moſt other perſons, and Caſes he meets with in his Travels, and therefore his Cloſet needs contain but few, yet noble and generous Medicines, and ſuch as may ſerve him upon all occaſions, ſupplying what's defective from the Fields or Gardens. He may avoid all pompous, uſeleſs, chargable Medicines of the Shops, and ſubſtitute in their place, cheaper, and more conducible to health; He may very well lay aſide the precious Stones, Saphir, Emerals, &c. the high priced Magiſtrals of Coral, and Pearl, made worſe by their preparatious, or rather deſtroyed thereby in their Virtue, as alſo Unicorns Horn, and Bezoar, all which are now rarely uſed alone, but in the received Compoſitions; He may alſo ſpare the charges of leaf-gold, for guilding Pots, Glaſſes, Pills, Electuaries, Boles, &c. which ſerves only to raiſe the Bill.

He may teach the Patients facile and eaſie Remedies, as to make a Clyſter, apply Bliſters, or Medicines to the feet, where they are needful, &c. and in many Caſes may cure by well ordering his Patient only, without any Remedies at all, or but very few, being free to act for the Patients Health, without the grumbling of the Apothecary; and many other ways he may daily meet with, very advantageous to the Patient.

He will have little uſe of Conſerves, Syrups, Lohocks, &c. a greater part whereof Sugar makes up, which doth more hurt to moſt perſons, then the other ingredients do good.

As for Infuſions and Decoctions, he will find by experiment, how much liquor, or Menſiruum will ſuffice to extract the full vertue of the ingredients, and what are helps, or hinderances thereunto, and thereby neither ſuffer loſs in the quantity, or quality of them.

He will diſcover the inefficacy of many of the Syrups and other Medicines in the Shops, made of ſuch ingredients, the qualities whereof, what with boiling, what with the great quantity of Sugar neceſſary to keep them, are either made uſeleſs, or oppoſite to the ends they are propoſed for. Eſpecially in ſuch Plants, Seeds, and Flowers, which conſiſt of fine volatil parts, and even in drying and pounding, or the leaſt boiling exhale and evaporate, and therefore in the common way of ordering them, loſe their whole vertue or moſt of their efficacy, and alter in their properties. From which by ſeveral methods known to ſome Phyſicians, very generous and ſingular Medicines may be produced.

He need not uſe ſo large Compoſitions conſiſting of ſuch confuſed and contrary ingredients, and will find good reaſon to lay aſide thoſe unintelligible and unreaſonable Compoſitions of Mithridate, and Treacle, and the ſo much magnified Treacle-water, and will ſubſtitute better in their places, of ſmaller charge, and leſs trouble; and this all Phyſicians I have converſed with, and the College it ſelf, by their Book publiſhed for the common good, in the year before the Plague, and all thoſe Phyſicians in this City, who make or intend to make their own Medicines, do confeſs.

But here Apothecaries open wide, and cry out that the Phyſicians are great Cheats, and envious perſons, for continuing ſuch flat Medicines, and not recommending to the World, or rather their Shops, our greater ſecrets. The anſwer is eaſie, that the Medicines in our Pharmacopaea, are the beſt of any other Pharmacopaea in the World, both for their goodneſs, and well preparing of them, whether they be Chymical, or Galenical; and therefore the ſame ſcandal will ly on all Pharmacopaea's whatſoever. Secondly, I ſay that within theſe few laſt experimental years, the practical part of Phyſic hath been much improved (as well as Anatomy) eſpecially by ſuch as have put their hands to work; and therefore till ſuch improvement, this could not be well amended. Furthermore, in making new Diſpenſatories, a full conſent muſt be had, and 'twere not fit to move where the motion were not like to take place, for though private men invent new ways of compounding and preparing, and uſing their own invented Medicines, yet 'twill require a long time to make them publickly known, and brought into common uſe, and till that be done 'tis not poſſible to have them brought into a common Diſpenſatory; beſides, no man would make a motion for ſuch a reformation, unleſs he were well furniſhed with ſpecificks, and then 'twill be required of him to expoſe them to the whole World, which how incongruous it will be, every man may eaſily conceive; hereto add, that the Apothecaries think themſelves able enough by this preſent Diſpenſatory, to out-beard Phyſicians, and do publickly profeſs (as hath been ſaid) that they underſtand the practice of Phyſic as well as they; how much more would they have ſaid ſo, if they had been made Maſters of theſe ſecrets? And here I ſhall admoniſh thoſe of my own Faculty, who have devoted their Studies, Labours, and Purſes, for the improvement of their Art, to conſider, that as natural things have their bounds and limits, and that there is no new Creation of them, and beſides, that theſe things have their bounds alſo of improvement, beyond which 'tis impoſſible for man to go; and that by a good method and induſtry, that end may be attained; (though at preſent I muſt confeſs, no Art is more capable of enlargement then ours:) I ſay let all conſider, and they will find, what a vaſt encouragement they have to improve their knowledg ſo far, that they ſhall not only be able to leave mankind deſtitute of no remedy Nature did ever produce; but alſo reſtore and ſetle thoſe Honours ignorant men would uſurp, upon the Learned Profeſſors of this Science; and I ſee no reaſon why Phyſicians ſhould communicate their ſecrets to ſuch perſons, who will make uſe of them, to the ruine of the Inventors, which is indeed a failer of truſt, for when a Phyſician writes his Bill, he truſts the Apothecary only with making the Medicine for a particular occaſion, and not to make uſe of it as his own when he pleaſeth for his own profit, and the Inventor have no further benefit by it, then perhaps one ſingle advantage.

Laſtly, When Diſpenſatories were firſt made, the Apothecaries were really Phyſicians Servants, and wholy at their command, not in the leaſt intrenching on their buſineſs, and the rates of Medicines were reaſonable; which ſuperiority over them ſtill continues only in their preſcriptions, the forms whereof are always commanding to take this and that, and to mix them, &c. but within theſe few laſt years they have ſet up for themſelves, and advanced the rates beyond all reaſon; and to be ſure, the more we teach them by our Books, the more they will trangreſs in both.

He may receive encouragement from what he diſcovers, that is more then ordinarily uſeful, whereas by writing Bills, he ſoon communicates to the ignorant and lazy, who will neither ſpend time nor money to advance the Art, but while the one is at work to his great charge, loſs of time, much pains and trouble, the others ſeek by petty tricks and Arts to gain a name, and profit from the induſtrious. Nay ſome Mountebanks have been ſet up by purchaſing receipts of the Apothecary or his Servants. And one of them told me, he ſet up a Quack by ſelling and commending to him a Medicine he had long kept in his Shop and could not otherwiſe put off, and that by degrees he made him a famous practiſer among the ignorant and poor people. An Act quite contrary to the intereſt of the Company.

Hence alſo will ariſe an emulation amongſt Phyſicians, who ſhall exceed each other in noble remedies, and from thence a full and happy improvement of whatſoever God hath created for the recovery of mans health impaired; for from the Phyſician alone the advancement of Phyſic is to be expected. How many ſimples of unknown properties have been brought into uſe, to the great comfort of the ſick? and many more may be, as alſo many preparations, both ſimple and compound, both in the Galenical, and Chymical practice, and by this means the Art will be advanced to its juſt dignity, now much diminiſhed, diſhonoured, and near to be loſt by the intruſion of ignorant perſons.

Greater reſpect will be given to ſuch Phyſicians, as being the immediate inſtruments of life and health, who will derive unto themſelves that which is now given to the Apothecaries, which proceeds chiefly from fear leſt they ſhould do the Patient hurt; and ſo their honour will be doubled, which every Phyſician looks principally at; but the Apothecary being not ſo far concerned, looks chiefly at his own profit, and regards not the Patients charge. For the greater the Patients charge, the greater muſt needs be the Apothecaries gain; whereas on the contrary, 'tis the Phyſicians Intereſt to cure the Patient with the greateſt eaſe.

He may proceed on ſafely and ſecurely in his well experienced Medicines, having before him not only what he hath preſcribed for the ſame Patient, but for all others in the like Caſe, and thereby keep in memory what he would have forgot, if his Bill had remained on the Apothecaries File; viz. the Medicines and their ſucceſs. By means whereof Phyſicians do not advance their knowledg ſo far as they might; for how is it poſſible they ſhould remember the particulars of their Bills writ ſome days before? and therefore know not how to proceed ſo well. But the Apothecaries having before them the whole ſeries of Medicines, brag they can do more then the Phyſicians, and by this means inſinuate the ſame opinion into people.

The Phyſician will be conſulted in the beginning of Diſeaſes, to the ſafety and little expence of the Patient, who will not go firſt to the Apothecary, who practiſeth on him till the Caſe is deſperate, and then calls in a Phyſician when 'tis too late; and if he dyes, the Phyſician muſt carry away the diſgrace alone; but if he recover, the Apothecary, if he be ſo minded, by ſome trick will ſhare with him in the honour: and by this reſort of people to the Apothecaries in beginning of Diſeaſes, we meet with few Caſes of eaſie Cure, but are chiefly made uſe of in dangerous Diſeaſes, or thoſe of ſhort period, or ſuch as are accompanyed with great pains and torments, to our great and continual anxiety.

The Phyſicians experience hereby as 'tis ſurer, ſo 'twill be greater.

He will make uſe of no Medicines but the choiceſt, and when they are in their full vigour, and ſuch as are durable, and after once or twice Tryal of them, will ſeldom fail in his expected ſucceſs; which cannot be certainly had without ſome tryal. For though a man buy the choiceſt ingredients, viz. Sena, which may appear to the Senſes very good, yet he cannot poſitively ſay, how well, nor yet what quantity of it will work, till he hath made uſe of it. But afterwards he may confidently apply the whole parcel he hath bought to his purpoſe. The like may be inſtanced in a crop of Wheat or Barley, which the ſkillfulleſt Huſband-man cannot tell how they will yield for Bread, or Malt, till he hath uſed them. Now how is it poſſible that a Phyſician can with any certainty make uſe of ſeveral Shops, ſince there is ſo great difference in the ingredients? and 'tis certain the ſame Medicine made by ſeveral Apothecaries, ſhall differ much in colour, ſmell, and taſt, and conſequently effect too; which cannot proceed from any other cauſe then the difference of the ingredients themſelves, or by omitting ſome ingredients, or by ſubſtituting one thing for another; or by diſtinct ways of preparing them. The ſame alſo may be ſaid of Compoſitions, much more of Chymical Medicines ſo much ſophiſticated, and of ſo much danger and hazard, if not well prepared, which he cannot diſcover till he hath ſeen the effect of them, unleſs it be ſuch as he makes himſelf, nor thoſe neither till he hath made ſome tryal of them.

He will much inlarge Materia Medica, Chymiſtry and Pharmacy, and diſcover the grounds of them, and wherein the efficacy of remedies lyes, and thereby lay open a whole Ocean for new diſcoveries, and by the by obſerve many uſeful products and Phaenomena of Nature, to the great improvement of his Art, and ſound Natural Philoſophy, which are not taken notice of by Apothecaries, and their Servants; for all which they have neither will nor ſkill.

As to the improvement of Medicines, this may be added, by the experimenting Phyſician, that in diſtill'd waters he will conſider and find which of them will afford any virtue, which only phlegm equivalent but to Conduit-water, which of them will keep long, and in perfection, which ſoon or in what time decay, and ſpend them accordingly, and in compound diſtill'd waters, will find cauſe to lay aſide many ſimples as nothing conducing, or rather weakning the efficacy of the Medicine deſigned; whereby much charge and trouble will be ſpared, and better compoſitions be made.

He will gain and keep to himſelf Patients, who have diſeaſes they are unwilling ſhould be known by Apothecaries and their Boys, and all ſuch as have a mind to turn over their File.

The Patient will have better opinion of the Medicines, and confidence in the uſe of them, and the Phyſician be more ſatisfied in his Conſcience, and better aſſured of the ſucceſs.

He will gain reputation to his Art, by reſtoring it to its firſt inſtitution and practice, by the Founders and Heroes of Phyſic.

'Tis convenient to adjoin here the old way of educating young men into the practice of Phyſic, and ſurely the ſafer for the Patients health; and I could wiſh 'twere reſtored to its former uſage, which was this. The Senior Phyſician carried his Son, or ſuch as he intended to ſucceed him in his practice, along with him when he viſited his Patients, diſcovering, and diſcourſing with them the diſeaſe, cauſe, method of cure, and what remedies were fit to be applied to the preſent Caſe, and to try them what they would do in that or the like Caſe. And when his occaſions would not permit him to viſit himſelf, he then ſent one of his Scholars to inform him of the condition of the ſick perſon, and the effect of his Medicines; and alſo when the ſaid Scholars had leiſure, they were employ'd to help to gather, prepare, and make, or overſee the compounding of Medicines. And ſuch Scholars they call'd filii Artis, ſons of Art. Some of the Profeſſors in Foreign parts practiſe the moſt of this to this very day, with ſuch Gentlemen as travel thither to ſtudy Phyſic, confirming their reading with experience.

By conſtantly practiſed Medicines he will find out a better method of Cure, and may hereby arrive at the true cauſes of diſeaſes.

He will obſerve what Medicines by precipitation or other ways, alter, deſtroy, or weaken one another, whereby of good ingredients ſingly uſed, a bad Compoſition may be made, and therefore fail in the ſucceſs expected. Many more things might be here added, which a ſkillful obſerver, and verſed in the way to make experiments (no eaſie matter) will daily find, and at preſent I do not ſo much as give hints of them, but ſhall hereafter, as occaſion and opportunity require▪

He will have more ſcope to be charitable to the poor, and more civil and obliging to his friends, by curing them gratis, of at ſmall charges.

He need not trouble himſelf with ways of concealing the uſe of his Medicines, by ſetting down no directions in his Bill, but giving them to the Patient, which the Apothecary ſoon learns; nor with giving ſome of his own Medicines at a pinch, which if they ſucceed not, to be ſure the Apothecaries will cry down in all places, but will conceal all eminently good ſucceſſes, as diſadvantageous to themſelves; nor by placing their Arcana's in the Shops of thoſe Apothecaries they commonly make uſe of; nor by recommending their Patients to ſuch Apothecaries they intruſt their ſecrets with. For then great complaints are made that the Phyſicians carry away their Cuſtomers, and take away their livelyhood, affirming they are willing to fetch them from the preſcribing Doctors Apothecaries. To which I anſwer, that they do fetch them, but perhaps not always; ſince I have heard them often ſay, theſe ſecrets were but the Medicines of the London Diſpenſatory diſguiſed under new names, to the diſcredit of the Phyſicians that preſcribed them. And I well remember ſome of them have neglected to fetch from my houſe, not far from their own, ſome of my preparations, though they had them gratis, for the fetching; whereby the Patients have ſuffered, and thought I neglected them, 'till they were rectified by another Viſit. Nay one of them told me, he had rather dy with his own Shop-Medicines, then be cured with my Magiſtrals: much more would he have ſaid of Patients, manifeſtly preferring his own profit before their lives; a moſt Unchriſtian ſaying!

One ſingular advantage ſuch a Phyſician will have, that the ſlanders of the Apothecaries will appear to be malicious, as being raiſed againſt ſuch as act contrary to their profit.

By this means Phyſicians will unite againſt the common Enemy, will contribute mutual aſſiſtance, and communicate more freely to one another their practice and remedies; and alſo the frauds and unlawful practices of the Apothecaries, will conceal the counſels, and act whatſoever may tend to the advance of their Art; and Patients alſo will diſcover the Apothecaries cenſures, and practices againſt the Phyſicians and their preſcriptions.

Hereby that great intereſt will decay Apothecaries have in Families for their petty officiouſneſſes (which Phyſicians not to diſpleaſe them have put them upon) theſe will be taught Nurſes, and the aſſiſtants, and which are by ſome of theſe as well, certainly more diligently performed then by the Apothecaries.

Hereby the filii Artis, or younger Phyſicians, will ſooner come into a better and more ſetled practice, and not be beholden to Apothecaries to bring them Patients wherewith they often upbraid them, and glory amongſt themſelves and to other perſons, that they introduced ſuch and ſuch a Phyſician.

Hereby Chirurgeons will be reſtored to ſome of their employment now uſurped by the Apothecaries, as leting of blood, applying Leeches, Plaſters, Cupping-Glaſſes, Syringing and Salivation, wraping up bodies in Cere-Cloaths, &c. which indeed do more properly belong to them then to the Apothecaries; hereby alſo haply many occaſions of quarrel betwixt Phyſicians and the Apothecaries will ceaſe, each party acting according to his own way.

By this means Pſeudochymiſts, and other Mountebanks mouths and revilings will be ſtopped, only exclaiming for this, that Phyſicians make not their own Medicines. But ſince the publication of theſe papers I am informed that the ſaid Pſeudochymiſts and Mountebanks rail againſt me, this Book, and the way propounded, as much as the Apothecaries, though before equal Enemies each to others. So that they have fulfilled the Proverb, of like to like. And no wonder ſince hereby their Kingdom of darkneſs is brought to light, and they are obliged to oppoſe it, as the Copper-Smiths were to revile St. Paul for ſpeaking againſt the Idol of Diana of the Epheſians, whereby their trade was loſt.

And as for the reaſonableneſs of it, that the Phyſician ought to ſupport himſelf by all lawful ways and means, and to have praeeminence above thoſe ignorant perſons that incroach upon his profeſſion, 'tis confeſſed by all that have conſidered the great charge, ſtudy, and labour, before he can arrive at any benefit from it; for he muſt take the chargeable degrees of Batchellor, and Maſter of Arts, Batchellor of Phyſic, and after 14 years ſtanding, the degree of Doctor; beſides his bare expences for his maintenance in the Univerſity, Charges in Anatomies, knowledg of natural things; Travels abroad, Chymiſtry, and Experiments; his Library, Habit, his more free way of living in a ſuitable houſe, and Attendants, greater Taxes, &c. inſomuch that a Doctor of Phyſic ſpends more before he comes to practiſe, then will ſet up perhaps a dozen Apothecaries in a way of livelihood; and beſides, great ſums of money before he can put himſelf in a fitting Equipage: whereas on the contrary, many young men before their time of Apprenticeſhip is out, provide well for themſelves by Quacking; and certainly the Study of Phyſic, and conſequently the knowledge of Nature, muſt bid farewel to the Univerſities, if Shops be permitted to make practiſers, for ſuch the people will ſoon create Doctors, which title the Apothecary takes upon him, though he underſtand not the reaſon of the name, to the great ſhame of the Univerſities, and Faculty, when ignorant people ſhall give, and they challenge the ſame title for nothing, attained by the Phyſician at a great rate and long ſtudy, the vulgar taking Practiſer and Doctor to ſignifie the ſame thing. And which no perſons of knowledge and education do, and perhaps moſt other perſons give them in way of Jeering.

From the handſom ſupport of Phyſicians theſe benefits will accrue to the publick, that thereby the honour all Nations yield to the Engliſh Phyſicians will be kept up, who in the late times, when the reputation of the Nation was well neer forfeited abroad, the Phyſicians then in being, moſt whereof are now living, and Members of the College, maintained the credit, for learning and value, of this Kingdom, and ſince his Majeſties happy return, ſome of them have kept up the honour of the Faculty; which manifeſtly appears by the great eſteem Foreigners have of their Books, by often printing them, and tranſlating into Latin what hath been publiſhed in Engliſh, though they are no where ſo depreſſed as in England.

A ſecond benefit to the publick is, that men of competent Eſtates will breed up their Sons in the Art of Phyſic, giving them ſuch education as is neceſſary, and will not vouchſafe to place them out to Apothecaries, though now adays want of learning and degrees are adjudged as needful a qualification for the exerciſe of Phyſic, as formerly 'twas for Preaching, and the Shops fit to ſupply both.

I will conclude this part of my diſcourſe with this obſervation; that the Laws of England in all their Acts of Parliament, have granted the practice of Phyſic to Phyſicians and them alone, and in no clauſe thereof put in any reſtraint at all upon them, but every where, either new priviledges, or a confirmation of the old, have been granted, by the ſaid powers. Whereas on the contrary, the Law ſuppoſeth cheats in the Apothecaries Shops, and therefore impowers our Cenſors to deſtroy and burn what they find bad and corrupt.

The next thing to be treated of, ſhall be the ways of Apothecaries creeping into practice, and their unfitneſs thereunto. As to the firſt, heretofore when they were Members of the Company of Grocers, and diſperſed in place, as well as in counſel, they then were wholy ſubordinate to the Phyſicians, only keeping in their Shops, and faithfully making the preſcriptions they received from the Phyſician, and when made, ſending them to the Patient by their men (as they ſtill continue to do in Foreign Countries) and not committing the preparation to raw Boys, or Apprentices, which is the true intereſt of the Patient they ſhould do here likewiſe. But in proceſs of time, Phyſicians in acute diſeaſes having taught them ſomewhat, ſent them to viſit their Patients, to give them the beſt account they could of the eſtate of their health, and effect of their Medicines. And of later years ſome Phyſicians took them along with them in their Viſits, whereby they acquired a little ſmattering of diſeaſes, by which means, and their continual officiouſneſs, they inſinuated themſelves into Families, and by applying (right or wrong) the terms of Art they had learned from the Phyſicians, they made people believe they had acquired ſome ſkill in the Art, and afterwards began to venture a little at practice, and but until theſe 10 years laſt paſt kept themſelves within ſome bounds and limits; but ſince that time have daily more and more incroached upon our Profeſſion, being aſſiſted by a greater familiarity of converſation with younger Phyſicians. And in the Plague time they took upon them the whole Practice of Phyſic, which ever ſince they have continued, being much helped alſo therein by the diſperſing of Phyſicians into places unknown to their Patients, by the Fire, but above all by the burning of the College, by means whereof their Government and view of their Shops have been omitted, inſomuch that now they are paſt all reſtraint, having inſinuated and (as they think) rooted themſelves by the aforeſaid Artifices, ſo that there remains now no other real remedy but that propoſed.

Now here I ſhall take occaſion in a ſhort digreſſion, to diſcourſe briefly the reaſon, why in all Ages there have been ſo many pretenders to Phyſic, and why ſome of them have got reputation in the World. One hath been mentioned before, viz. the great charges ſick men are put to, cauſed by the ſeparation of the Phyſician from the Apothecary. But the principal reaſon is, the want of knowledge in moſt perſons, both of the materials uſed, and the grounds for which they are applyed. Inſomuch that there are but few that can judg, and diſtinguiſh rightly of either, and no wonder therefore that in their reaſonings they commit more abſurd miſtakes, or Paralogiſms then in any other Art whatſoever, and cenſure Phyſicians by the ſucceſs alone. Which my Lord Verulam accounts the great unhappineſs both of the Stateſ-man and the Phyſician, both being alike cenſured by thoſe that know not the bottom and riſe of their Actions and Counſels. For how can any man in either make a ſound Judgment without a full knowledge of the buſineſs it ſelf, and of all the circumſtances thereunto belonging; nor in Phyſic without the concurrent knowledg of the ſick mans habit, diſeaſe, cauſe, remedies, and many other particulars neceſſary to make a clear judgment upon the ſucceſs? Yet notwithſtanding, many will cenſure and grumble at the actions of • he Stateſ-men, though their proceedings have been never ſo wiſe, and prudent, and oft-times from muttering and whiſpering, fall to down-right diſtaſt, and mutiny againſt their Superiors. So that the good ſucceſs, in State-affairs, of raſh and imprudent undertakers, have been extolled and preferred before the wary, and prudent management, and guidance of the ſobereſt and wiſeſt Stateſ-men. The ſame likewiſe happens between the bold Empiric, and learnedſt Phyſician. But in this way of cenſuring, the Stateſ-man hath this advantage above the Phyſician, that 'tis poſſible he may meet with a ſeries of Buſineſs ſo circumſtantiated, as ſeldom or never to miſcarry, eſpecially having a greater power over ſubordinate perſons then Phyſicians have. But the irreverſible ſtatute of Heaven forbids us to expect a conſtant recovery of our Patients, for 'tis appointed, that all men muſt die. 'Tis ſufficient therefore for us, to employ thoſe remedies God hath given to the Sons of men, to the utmoſt vertue the Creator hath endowed them withal: ſince his eternal decree hath limited their efficacy from making man immortal. Now ſince (if men judg by the ſucceſs alone) it cannot be otherwiſe, but that the moſt 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 Empirie 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) contract with them for a ſum of money, one half whereof to be payed in hand, and the other the Cure being done, and ſo are uſually cheated of one half of their money; and ſuch people will have nothing to do with ſuch Phyſicians as will not undertake them in this ſence.

Another Stratagem is, to give ſtrange and hard names to their Medicines, ſuch as are Pilulae radiis Solis extractae, and in Engliſh is no more then Pills dryed to that conſiſtence by the Sun-Beams, which ignorant people have thought were made of the Sun Beams. Others commend their Extract of the Soul of the Heathen Gods. One ſets up with a receipt received from Van Helmonts own hands; Another hath received from a Jew the ſhining of Moſes Face; nay I have heard a Pſeudochymiſt blaſphemouſly brag, he ſaw in the making of a grand Elixir, the Quinteſſence of the Trinity in Unity, and infinite other pitiful captivations of ſilly people, to be ſeen on every Gate and Poſt of this City; ſuch as are the Spirit of the Salt of the World, Panchymagogon, and other ten-footed Greek names, and ſome other Mongrel non-ſenſical ones compounded of ſeveral Languages; promiſing certain, ſpeedy, and concealed Cure of incurable Diſeaſes.

And no leſs ridiculous and abſurd to conſidering perſons are, their cantings of themſelves, wherewith they no leſs befool, amuſe, and beguile the people; as that by long prayer, and ſeeking of God, they have had many ſecrets revealed to them from Heaven. Another by long Travels through Hungary, Poland, &c. hath attained great ſecrets from Kings and Emperours. Another a Gentleman lately come from Oxford, or Cambridg, Cures the Pox, Running of the Reins, &c. in Capital Letters, at all which what ſober man cannot but laugh? Yet ſuch as theſe are inducements to many to reſort to them; moreover ſome of them are Aſtrologers, Phyſiognomers, Fortunetellers, Profeſſors of Palmiſtry and ſuch other vain Arts, much applauded by the weaker ſort of people.

Beſides, the former they have their Emiſſaries, Scouts, and Setters up and down, to cry up the ſkill and feigned Cures done by them, Nurſes, Good-fellows, Midwives, &c. to make up the cry and full noiſe.

Now it being natural to moſt people to admire what they underſtand not, and for Admiration to infer Love, and Love Praiſe, and Praiſe the uſe eſpecially of ſuch things as are ſet off with high and lofty expreſſions, it neceſſarily follows that ſuch perſons will cry up, and make uſe of, thoſe that by theſe means captivate their underſtandings, eſpecially their credits being ingaged alſo; but above all, if they proceed from meaner perſons, of whom they are moſt credulous, having in ſuſpition wiſermen, believing the former are not able, and that the wiſer are able; and therefore will deceive them. All which appears in ſome with us cryed up above any Phyſician that ever was in England, though for pitiful, dangerous, nay ſometimes mortal Medicines, whereby great ſums of money have been gained in a ſhort time. I ſhall inſtance firſt in Lockyers Pills made of Antimony, diſcovered to be ſo by ſome of my Collegues, and my ſelf, at the firſt ſelling of them. A Medicine as ill made as any of that Mineral, and no Phyſician though meanly verſed in Chymiſtry, but could have excelled it. Yet ſo great a Vogue this Pill had for ſome time, that infinite people reſorted to him, and purchaſed them for their lives, both for themſelves, and Families, and (as I have heard) for their poſterities too. Though a common Chimney in a little time would have made enough of it to have ſerved the whole Nation for ſome years to come, and that at very ſmall charges. But Experience, the Tutor of too many, hath in a ſhort time brought theſe Pills into a diſ-uſe, if not a total Oblivion, even amongſt the vulgar.

A ſecond cryed up Medicine was Mathews's Pills, made of Opium (to which the virtue of the whole Compoſition muſt be attributed) of white Hellebor Roots, and Oyl of Turpentine, whereto ſome add Salt of Tartar, which will puzzle the moſt knowing Naturaliſt to declare why theſe ſhould be thus jumbled together; unleſs to obſcure the Opium. 'Tis indeed a very cunning Compoſition, for by giving reſt and eaſe it may eaſily decoy people into the uſe of them, though by long taking of them, diſeaſes become far more uncurable then they are in their own Nature.

A third Univerſal Medicine was Hughes's Powder, ſold by him at 10s. the Grain, and 3l. 10s. the Doſe, made doubtleſs of Gold and Quickſilver. The taſt and weight of it manifeſtly diſcover the former to be an ingredient into it, and the effect, viz. Salivation proves the latter to be part of the compound. Beſides I have made of theſe two diſſolved, and digeſted in their peculiar Menſtruums, in no long ſpace of time, a Medicine that had the ſame effect with his, and in the ſame Doſe; and having a View of his Cabinet left after his Death, containing a large quantity of the ſaid Powder (being all he left behind him) there was found crude Gold, and Quickſilver in the ſame Cabinet. Now theſe three Notorious Univerſal Medicines were put to ſale by moſt ignorant perſons. Add hereunto the forementioned Mr. De-laun's Pill, whereof I ſhall ſay nothing, being mentioned under the Name of the Pilulae ex duobus, in the London Diſpenſatory, though ſome make them of the Extract of Coloquintida. The laſt of any Fame with us, were Dr. Goddard's Drops, a good Medicine, but not ſo univerſal, and ſuperlative as he would have made the World believe, and was nothing elſe but what ſome Phyſicians many years ſince enjoyed. I well remember that in the late troubles, a Perſon then in great Authority, having cryed up this above all the Medicines in the World, a round wager was offered, that the Doctor ſhould not diſtinguiſh his own from two others that ſhould be brought him, both which were but Spirit of Hartshorn. But the wager would not be accepted of. Furthermore, that this Medicine of his was Spirit of Harts-horn, ſome relations plainly argue; One whereof was the following.

A certain perſon in Norfolk having ſent for as much as came to a 11l. and dying upon the 2d. doſe of it, and by accident moſt part of the remainder being ſpilt; there comes in a friend to the Houſe, of ſome ſkill, who ſuppoſing it to be Spirit of Harts-horn, told the Widow he would endeavour to gain back the money for her. And thereupon went to a Chymiſt, and bought as much of the ſaid Spirit, as would make up the quantity purchaſed of Dr. Goddard, who after Tryal of it by ſmell, and taſt, acknowledged it to be his, and honeſtly payed back the ſum 'twas firſt ſold for; which I think few of the Mountebanks do. Sure I am that a Quack ſold 21 Pills for 20l. whereof the Patient took 4 at two doſes, to the great hazard of his life, who then repairing to me for my advice, I by Tryal of one of them ſound them to be Mercurial, and wiſhed him to return them back, but the Quack would not give him 10s. for the 16 remaining.

The inference and ſum of what hath been ſaid, is to ſhew briefly by what Artifices people are deceived in their Healths, and Purſes, and how eaſily the ignorant are couzened, and ſuch practices uſed, that Phyſicians, men of honeſty and repute, would be aſhamed to own, and muſt by uſing them in a ſhort time be ruined and diſcredited. And ſuch Cheats as theſe, the College of Phyſicians are bound by the Laws of the Land to decry, and puniſh (though by ſo doing it hath often incurred the cenſure and clamor of the vulgar) Beſides the Statute of the 14th. and 15th. of Henry the Eighth injoyns us to it, declaring that 'tis good for the Common-wealth of this Realm, and therefore expedient, and neceſſary to provide that no perſon of the College of Phyſicians (for all practiſers then were of the ſaid body) be ſuffered to exerciſe, and practiſe Phyſic, but only thoſe perſons that be profound, ſad, and diſcreet, groundly learned, and deeply ſtudyed in Phyſic. Now certain it is, that none of the ſaid body did or dare uſe any of the forementioned frauds and deceits, but will conſtantly indeavour (ſince 'tis impoſſible but there will be Cheatees; (according to the old Proverb, Populus vult decipi, The People will be deceived) to abridge the number of the Cheaters, who anſwer to the former part of the Proverb, Decipiatur, Let them be couzened.

I ſhall end this diſcourſe by returning from my digreſſion to the Apothecaries, who may and do uſe ſome of the tricks before-mentioned, and ſhall here briefly recite ſome great advantages they have, and make uſe of above Phyſicians. One is, that they live in this City 7 or 8 years as Apprentices, as alſo by their retail Trade, and by living in open Shops, by frequent converſe with their fellow Citizens, whether in Commerce or Offices, by many friendly and Neighbourly mutual kindneſſes and actions, wherein they ſpend their whole lives, and are never diverted by ſtudies, and ingenuity from their propoſed way of gain, by all which means they get into a fixed familiarity and good opinion with their Neighbours, and a large acquaintance in the World. Now for their ſkill, beſides what hath been before-mentioned, and common to them with the Mountebank, viz. Vapouring and braging of their ſkill, and decrying Phyſicians, by talking above the Capacity of thoſe they converſe with, who therefore take all they ſay to be authentick, though never ſo abſurd, and trivial, and many times to ſet off themſelves they will venture to ſpeak Latine commonly as falſe as the matter, although ſome of them at Coffee-Houſes, and in other mixt Companies, by venturing ſo boldly have been met with and baffled, and made to depart thence with ſhame and diſcredit enough, which their friends and acquaintance take little notice of. Add hereunto their expoſing to view their Compoſitions of Treacle, Mithridate, Diaſcordium and Alkermes, which all their friends, and neighbours one time of another muſt ſee; (being ſet off by ſome very curiouſly) and ſeeing cannot but admire the great charge, art, and labour of the Apothecary, and perhaps hear his learned Lecture upon them, whereby they imply their great ſkill, knowledg in the virtues of theſe ingredients, and conſequently an ability to practiſe with them; all which are below the dignity of a Phyſician; and therefore a long time is neceſſary for him to gain acquaintance, wanting the fore-mentioned opportunities the Apothecaries enjoy. Laſtly, Their painted Pots and Glaſſes, with falſe Titles on them, more win the vulgar then a Phyſicians Library of far greater value.

As to their incapacity for Practice, 'tis manifeſt by their education, and ignorance of all thoſe things which are required in an able Phyſician, viz. the knowledg of Arts and Languages; by the former whereof men learn the way and rules of obſerving, and improvements to be made thereon; by the latter, what the learned ſearchers of Nature have in all Ages taken notice of, neceſſary, and little enough in an Art ſo difficult as that of Phyſic. They are wholy ignorant alſo of all Philoſophy, and the very Elements of the Art, and therefore unſkillful in knowing diſeaſes; and more ſurely their cauſes, whereto reſpect is to be had, as well as to the diſeaſes, to which, fit remedies are to be applyed. For want of Anatomy know neither the part affected, nor how 'tis affected; much leſs any thing of Chirurgical directions. And through their ignorance in Philoſophy, and Arts, they have not ſkill enough to adviſe a diet ſutable to diſeaſes, a thing moſt neceſſary, as well in curing diſeaſes as in preſerving of health, and which requires a great inſight into the nature of things; nor the true grounds and reaſons of compounding, practiſing their way rather by rote then by rule; with better reaſon may a Brick-layer or Carpenter pretend to be a Mathematical, or a Common Fidler to be a Muſick Reader in the Univerſities, or Greſham-College, ſince both theſe have the practical part of thoſe Sciences, which Apothecaries have not in Phyſic, in the leaſt meaſure.

And to conceal their miſ-actings, they generally do all by word of mouth, and not enter their preſcriptions into their Books, being haply aſhamed any knowing men ſhould diſcover their ſins of omiſſion, as dangerous many times in point of life and health, as thoſe of their commiſſion. Whereas Phyſicians Bills are on the File, or regiſtred in Order in their own Books, which is their juſtification from all miſrepreſentations.

Again, they ſufficiently confeſs their ignorance, by calling in Phyſicians when their own, or any of their relations healths are concerned, and the ſame all people acknowledge, when they are in diſtreſs and danger. And very few underſtanding perſons, and none that are learned and knowing, will truſt them at all. But I ſhall refer the Reader to the forementioned Writer againſt the Apothecaries, viz. Dr. Daniel Coxe, who permitted me to name him here; by whom this and many other things here but briefly touched, are judiciouſly handled, and more largely.

And as for their ſkill in practice, we daily ſee their groſs errours and omiſſions, being called where they have given Medicines. I ſhall inſtance only in one that hapned at the writing hereof; viz. that an Apothecary gave ſtrong Purging Pills on the Fit day of a gentle Quartan Ague, which turned it into a violent Fever, to the great hazard of the Patients life.

And at how eaſie rates they practiſe, many of their Bills brought and complained of to our College, (in ſome whereof I have ſeen Fees ſet down for Viſits) witneſs, wherein upon a ſlight diſeaſe 5l. hath been demanded for four days practice. And I have heard one of them brag, that he commonly had from 20 to 100l. beſides preſents, for cure of a Clap (as they call it) which might have been more ſpeedily and ſecurely performed for a manifold leſſer ſum.

I now come to anſwer ſome ſlight objections; as firſt, that Phyſicians are unſkillful in the Art of making Medicines; but ſure thoſe that thus object cannot deny them that ability which Ladies, and almoſt all ordinary women have; viz. of diſtilling of waters of all ſorts, making of Syrups, Conſerves, Preſerves, Powders, Trochiſes, Electuaries (and what not) and as many think, more cleanly and neatly then the Apothecaries; and ſome of them Ointments, and Plaſters, in which two lyes their main ſkill. Some whereof, to thoſe that underſtand not the way of diſſolution of bodies, and the nature of their mixture may be difficult. Yet this defect they may ſupply by leſſening the number of ingredients, and may perform more with 2, or 3 Simples, then with the larger Compoſitions, as 'tis manifeſt in the uſe of Galbanum alone, now uſed and found better then Emplaſtrum Hyſtericum, conſiſting of 21 ingredients.

And though as matters now ſtand, Phyſicians have not the honour to be counted ſuperiour to Apothecaries in their Art, yet every one knows that they alone are the preſcribers and directors of the Apothecaries in what they know, and are able to puzzle them in infinite things that concern their Trade, beſides in Chymical preparations, whereof moſt of them are totally ignorant; and ſhould Phyſicians withdraw themſelves from their converſation, few pretenders to Phyſic would appear more unſkillful then they, neither knowing how to deal with a new Simple, nor a new diſeaſe. And for all their pretences of ſkill in Drugs, 'tis moſt certain that the State makes Phyſicians, not Apothecaries, Judges of them; and the Statute of Henry the VIII. appoints the College Cenſors upon Oath, not the Apothecaries, to judg, and condemn falſe and ſophiſticated Medicines.

A ſecond objection wherewith they flatter themſelves, is, that the great expence of time in preparing Medicines will keep Phyſicians from this courſe. I anſwer, that the Phyſician needs not ſpend much more then half an hour in a day, one with another, on this work, and may faſter diſpenſe them then the Apothecaries to Hoſpitals, who in an afternoon can provide for 100, nay ſometimes 200 ſick men, and carry them to the Hoſpital, and diſpoſe them to each ſingle perſon, which takes up much time, which the Phyſicians Servants need not be put to.

A third objection is, that this courſe, which before 'twas put in practice they derided, now uſed is railed at, will undo them. I anſwer, that if needs, one or the other muſt be ruined, 'tis more reaſonable that the Apothecary ſhould ſuffer then the Phyſician, becauſe the one acts but his duty, and for the publick good, but the other are tranſgreſſors of the Law, and act above the Sphere of their ſkill, and do many prejudices to the precious lives, and healths of men; and the rather becauſe 'tis in their own power to prevent this miſchief, by ſtinting the number of their Servants (as 'tis in foreign parts, and in England alſo, in very many if not moſt other Trades. Nay our State allows but a ſet number of Printers) for they acknowledg themſelves, that the exceeding increaſe of their number muſt neceſſarily in a ſhort time bring them all to ſhifting and beggery, and a greater want of ſkill then what they now pretend to. But to anſwer this Objection more fully, I affirm Apothecaries have made and do make uſe of ſeveral other ways of ſubſiſtence; beſides their bare trades (none of which Phyſicians can uſe) viz. ſome of them in this City as well as in the Country, ſell Grocery-wares, and by both together, gain Eſtates. Secondly, They barter in Drugs and other Commodities, ſelling them amongſt themſelves, and to other Tradeſmen. Furthermore, they are now building a Laboratory to make all ſorts of Chymical Medicines, intending to ſupply the whole Nation with them, which muſt neceſſarily undo all the Chymiſts in London; and whether in time they will not diſtil Strong-waters, &c. (an eaſie thing for them to undertake) and by this means to ruine the Corporation of Diſtillers of Strong-waters, I leave to the ſaid Company to conceive as they pleaſe. However, this I have heard ſeveral of them ſay, that they reſolve to buy all ſorts of Drugs, and make a Magazine of them, as well as of the greater Compoſitions, at their own Hall; and to ſell them to the Members of their Company, whereby the Trade of the Druggiſt, muſt be much leſſened, if not totally over-thrown. So little regard have they of any other employment but of their own, yet all theſe things they may do without any offence againſt the Laws of the Land. Why then ſhould they, who have ſo many ways of ſubſiſtence, envy, and uſurp unlawfully over the ſingle and lawful way granted Phyſicians for their livelihood? Or why ſhould they repine, and revile them for advancing their Art, the publick health and profit, and for maintaining their profeſſion by their Pens, and actings againſt themſelves, who are the firſt aggreſſors in this diviſion? Which I profeſs to be the ſole end of theſe preſent papers, and heartily wiſh they may thrive and proſper as long as they conform themſelves to the Laws of Honeſty, Reaſon, and of the Land. Beſides, why may not the Plaiſterer more reaſonably pretend the ſame to the Painter, and many other Trades againſt one another, as the Brick-layer to the Stone-Cutter, &c. that they underſtand the Trade, and that truly too, and that they cannot ſubſiſt without this incroachment? And why ſhould not Chirurgeons keep open Apothecaries Shops? but that the ſame Law limits thoſe Tradeſmen, as well as prohibits the Apothecary from the practice of Phyſic. And ſurely the Law and State have no conſideration of thoſe perſons ſubſiſtence, who conform not to them; and why ſhould we have of thoſe, ſubordinate to us, who againſt all good Conſcience take away from us all that is our due, and continually traduce and ſlander us very untruly and deſigningly?

The laſt objection (and a ſtrange one) is, that in this private way of giving Medicines, Phyſicians may poyſon their Patients. But this is eaſily retorted upon the Apothecaries, who may themſelves or their Servants do the like, as 'tis known in the poyſoning of Sir Thomas Overbury; beſides, ſince it cannot be otherwiſe, but that the Patient muſt truſt ſomebody, 'tis better to truſt one then many; and if one, better him whoſe education will teach him better Morality, (and who hath given his Faith (equivalent to an Oath) twice to the Body of the College; viz. once at his admiſſion as Candidate, and a ſecond time at his admiſſion as Fellow; whereby he promiſeth in theſe words, That he ſhall give nothing to cauſe miſcarriage, or to deſtroy, or hinder Conception, nor Poyſons (for of ſuch, good Medicines may be made) to an evil purpoſe; nay that he ſhall not even teach them where there is any ſuſpicion of ill uſing of them. Which promiſe is nothing elſe but the Oath propoſed by Hippoc. to Phyſicians, in the entrance to his Books) then ſuch as want theſe qualifications; and this ſeems to be the reaſon why our Common Law makes it Felony, for any perſon to have any one dy under his hand, unleſs he were a lawful Phyſician. More noble and generous was the opinion of Alexander the Great, concerning his Phyſician, who confidently drank off that Medicine which cured him, though he was before informed by ſome friend that 'twas poyſoned. Neither can Hiſtory it ſelf to my knowledg produce any example, that ever any ſuch fooliſh Villany was acted; Though doubtleſs many lives might have been ſaved if the Apothecaries would have complyed with the College, in their propoſed Orders for ſelling Rats-bane.

In the next place I ſhall recite ſome few of their devices againſt thoſe Phyſicians in particular that make their own Medicines, as to tell the Patient that is averſe to Chymical Medicines, that the Doctor is Chymical, and that becauſe for ſooth he makes his own Medicines; but to thoſe that affect Chymical, that the Doctor is but a Galeniſt, and uſeth only dull and ineffectual remedies, as beſt ſuits to the ſick mans Palat. A ſecond is, that if this Phyſician be called into a Patient, the Apothecary will pretend preſent danger, and in his abſence call in another, or pretend he is abroad when he is not, or elſe that the Caſe requires the counſel of two Phyſicians; and what other devices they uſe, I have not well learned.

Now briefly follow ſome ſmall Scandals they caſt upon the ſaid Phyſicians, as firſt that they do it for want of practice; the falſity whereof is known by thoſe few that do act this way already, and ſhortly 'twill be more apparent, when many more of good practice, ſingular parts and honeſty will do the like, and certainly nothing but lazyneſs, ignorance, or want of will to do the utmoſt good they are able for the ſick, can hinder them from ſo doing, except age, infirmity of body, or want of convenience. But ſuppoſe 'tis ſo as they alledg, doubtleſs every man may and ought to uſe all lawful means for his own ſubſiſtence; and do not our adverſaries ſay they are inforced to it, affirming that unleſs they give Medicines of themſelves, their acquaintance will go to another Apothecary who will do it, though one of their Company told me, they had power by their Charter to reſtrain practice? Whence (if true) it clearly follows that the whole Company allows it.

But thoſe Phyſicians, that for the reaſons above, cannot nor will not take this courſe, are to be admoniſhed, to do here as the Phyſicians did in France, for the good of people, viz. to tell their Patients the prices of Medicines, and to write their Bills in Engliſh, that thereby the Patients may not pay too un reaſonable for them.

I now conclude, having performed this ungrateful taſk with as much brevity, mildneſs of Spirit, and language, as the buſineſs would permit (and what the prudent Statutes of our College require of each of their members, that we ſhall by all honeſt and lawful ways and means proſecute all illiterate Mountebanks and Impoſtors, &c. and is no more then the Laws and Charters granted to us allow, and what we twice faithfully promiſe (as much an Oath as we can give) viz. at our admiſſion as Candidate and as Fellow) being obliged to another work of greater difficulty, and concern, long ſince promiſed, having been too long diverted with ſitting my ſelf for my intended practice, and ſeveral other unavoidable Occaſions.