A letter concerning the present state of physick, and the regulation of the practice of it in this kingdom written to a doctor here in London.

WORTHY SIR,

NOw I am ſafely arriv'd here, and retir'd from the noiſe and importunity of publick buſineſs, I have a little leaſure to conſider the Civilities I received from you at London, and thank you for them: But my Lady—is moſt particularly ſenſible of the favour you did her, in ſending her that excellent Syrup of your own preparation; and as well for the good effects ſhe has found of it, as for your moſt exquiſite manner of preparing it, ſhe ceaſes not to commend it infinitely to her neareſt Relations, and other Perſons of Quality, who will very ſhortly, I know, deſire you to take the trouble of making ſome more of it for them. And as her Ladyſhip has been wont alwayes to condemn the Syrups, Conſerves, and other Medicines of the Apothecaries, as nauſeous, fulſome, and unhealthy, compar'd with thoſe which her ſelf and other Ladies of the Countrey make, without regard of expence or charge, to have them perfectly good; ſo now ſhe does it much more, in conſideration of this which you have ſent her.

Theſe diſcourſes of her Ladyſhip put me in minde of what paſt in that excellent company of Virtuoſi at Sir Thomas—Houſe, where you and I had lately the honour to receive a noble entertainment. And in truth all then preſent did very much reſent the unhappy eſtate of the profeſſion of Phyſick, as it now ſtands in this Kingdom, both in reſpect of the worthineſs of the thing it ſelf, and its mighty concernments in humane life, and the ſociety of mankinde; as alſo, as it is an honourable way, wherein all the Gentlemen of England have been ever accuſtomed to breed and educate ſome of their Children. And in both theſe reſpects there is no Gentleman in the Nation, but ought to take himſelf concerned to ſecure it ſo far from the rude pretences of vain and bold men, that in the firſt place it may be really ſerviceable to thoſe ends for which Heaven mercifully gave it, and alſo may be a decent and worthy means of ſubſistence, as it hath hitherto been, to perſons of ingenuous Birth and liberal Education, who ſhall in purſuance of thoſe noble ends addreſs themſelves to the Study of it.

Now becauſe you know very well that my curioſity and inclination have ever led me to a more then ordinary conſideration of that which you profeſs, you will the leſs wonder to finde me offering ſome propoſitions, which, in my poor opinion, will remedy the preſent defects both in the method and practice of it, restore it to its primitive and moſt excellent form, and effectually eſtabliſh it in that degree of honour and eſtimation which all Ages have ſo justly had for it.

And whereas I have ſeveral times found both your ſelf and ſome other Phyſicians of my acquaintance poſſeſt with apprehenſions, becauſe our Houſe did not paſs the Patent, by His Majesty lately granted to the Colledge: though I will not make my ſelf guilty of ſo much raſhneſs as to cenſure the adviſe by which that affair was governed; yet I verily perſwade my ſelf, if inſtead of that long Patent De novo, you had followed the example of your Anceſtors, who finding ſome defects in the firſt Act of their Incorporation, made in 14. H. 8. Choſe rather to bring into the Parliament ſmall Additional Bills, praying ſuch new powers as might enable them to put in execution the true intents of the firſt Act, as that of 38. H. 8. In which they deſire the priviledge of viſiting the Wares of Apothecaries: and afterward, Primo Mariae, another Bill requiring the Magiſtrates to be aſſiſting to them in the execution of this Power, which was forgot before. And likewiſe another clauſe was deſired, commanding Goalers to receive and keep in ſafe cuſtody ſuch Priſoners as ſhould from time to time be committed by the Authority granted to the Colledge, till they ſhould by them be thereof diſcharged: I ſay, if ſome ſuch courſe as this had been taken, I make no doubt but the zeal and care of this Houſe is ſuch for the honour and advancement of all true Learning in the Nation, that it would have paſs'd without much debate: But conſidering the length of the new Charter; the great numbers of men of ſeveral ſorts that made oppoſition, and pretended high exceptions againſt it; the many weighty and important things at that time upon their hands, and ſo the little leaſure they had then to examine a buſineſs of that nature, as they ought to do; It is to me no great wonder that it was for the preſent laid aſide.

I have great hope, That whatever may be propos'd for the effectual advancement of this noble Art, that does not onely ſerve the neceſſities of humane Life, but alſo furniſh Philoſophy with ſo great a number of real and uſeful Experiments, will be ſincerely regarded and conſider'd; from the particular genius and inclination of the Age wherein we live, which to me ſeems in a peculiar manner directed to the contemplation of Nature: And although many admirable Spirits flouriſh'd in the former Age, and labour'd in moſt kinde of humane knowledge; yet the honour of the true method of penetrating into the cauſes of natural things is due onely to ours: For, excepting the Divine Wit of Copernicus, none that I remember of that time did any thing of moment in natural Philoſophy. And I look upon Galileo as the firſt that introduc'd any ſound and real ſpeculations in that way, by firſt diſcerning the neceſſity and uſe of Geometrical Theories in the conſiderations of Nature. This fortunate beginning was well purſu'd by Kepler, and brought to a great degree of perfection by D. Cartes, whoſe incomparable Books have kindled in mens mindes ſuch an ardour of ſearching into the cauſes of things, that the great Spirits of our time ſeem all in a flame; and not onely ſuch perſons as have been bred in Letters, and Study, but men of all Conditions and Buſineſſes, even Princes themſelves are toucht with this inclination, as the Prince Leopoldo in Italy, but eſpecially His Moſt Excellent Majeſty, who has ſet on foot the greateſt deſign for this end that ever any Nation ſaw, by Founding his Royal Society for the advancement of Natural Philoſophy by Experiments, which will certainly be as Immortal as his own Name and Fortunes.

If then we conſider how much the buſineſs of Phyſick, well conſtituted and manag'd, will not only adminiſter infinite occaſions to the ſpeculative men of this buſie and enquiring Age; but likewiſe of how much greater importance all its Experiments are, both to the publick, and to every one in particular; we need not doubt but His Majeſty will believe that His Colledge of Phyſicians is worthy of the ſame Royal Care, that other Princes, his Predeceſſors of Famous Memory, have had for it: And the Parliament afford that Countenance and Authority, which ſhall be requiſite for it in Affairs of ſo great Conſequence. And I eaſily perſwade my ſelf, That if that moſt Learned and Excellent Society of Men would take ſo much leaſure from their Affairs as to conſider the moſt effectual wayes of advancing all the Deſiderata of their Profeſſion, and ſupplying the preſent Defects of it; they would not only have the Countenance of the Government, but alſo the Thanks of it, and of the whole World.

In the mean time give me the favour to deal frankly with you about this matter; as one alſo a little tranſported with the ſame paſſionate love of real and uſeful Philoſophy which I have noted in others; and beſides, have a particular kindneſs for their moſt deſerving Profeſſion.

The Imperfections then which I note in the preſent Method of exerciſing Phyſick in this Nations are theſe: It loſes all the noble opportunities it might have for the Advancement of it ſelf, and of the knowledge of Nature in General. It is more expoſed to Errors and Miſtakes, dangerous to the Life of Man; and lastly, it is too great a charge to the People when they ſtand in need of it. All which I conceive to happen by receding from the ancient Form and Method of Practice, which came early into the world with Phyſick it ſelf, and is in all conſiderations moſt natural to it, and was indeed the uſe of former times, till good Learning came to be overthrown and laid waſt by the furious irruption of the Goths. In thoſe Ages, that which now ſtands divided between the Chirurgeon and Apothecary, was the care of the Phyſician himſelf, who did not think it too mean a work to dreſs Wounds, ſet Bones, travel in the inquiſition of Herbs, Stones, Mettals, compound Medicines, with his own hands; and do innumerable other things neceſſary for this Profeſſion, which are now accounted the miniſtry of inferiour Perſons: And as the quitting of this noble way was the moſt fatal thing that ever fell upon this God-like Profeſſion; ſo doubtleſs the true means of reſtoring it to its firſt Beauty and Divine uſe, were to reſume the courſe of wiſer times, and ſettle it again in its ancient Conſtitution. But becauſe a long courſe of time has ſo confirm'd this unhappy evil, and that out of thoſe Parts of Phyſick (for ſuch they really are) which the Phyſician has deſpis'd, as below him, are riſen two very worthy Societies of men as well in this as in other Nations, I look upon it for many reſpects as a thing extreamly unreaſonable to undertake ſuch an alteration as the reſtoring of that ancient way would neceſſarily introduce: yet I do not deſpair but that an expedient might be thought on, which although it do not arrive to the full perfection of that method, yet it approaches (I think) nearer to it then the preſent way, or any other I have yet heard of; and is likewiſe very facil, ready, and practicable, not overturning the preſent ſtate of things; ſo far from doing injury to the Chirurgeons or Apothecaries, as it ſerves rather to preſerve for ever a true and right underſtanding between them and the Phyſician, and to defend them all againſt the aſſaults and pretenſions of Mountebanks and other indirect practiſers of Phyſick, and yet comprehends a great deal of the true way of the Ancients above-mention'd, ſo as it maybe fairly hop'd that it will fully anſwer the greateſt part of thoſe ends we have already ſpoken of, and for which Phyſick has been ſo valu'd in the world; and all this without any great trouble, expence, or difficulty either to the ancient Practitioners of this City and Kingdom, or to ſuch as now enter into this Profeſſion.

Now the Idea I would repreſent, does particularly regard theſe three things: Firſt, to render Phyſick of greater ſervice and uſe towards the advancement of Natural Philoſophy, which is ſo univerſally the deſign of the preſent Age. Secondly, To make it more effectual for the great ends of preſerving life, and the reſtoring of health. Laſtly, That theſe ends may be obtain'd with leſs charge and hazard to the people then heretofore.

And for what concerns the Philoſophical conſideration of Phyſick, I muſt beg the pardon of ſuch as you call Rational Phyſicians, if I ſo far diſſent from them, as to believe Phyſick (ſuch as it is at preſent) rather to be a maſs of noble Experiments, in which Philoſophy might finde excellent matter to write upon, than a Science perfectly form'd and eſtabliſh'd upon ſound and unqueſtionable verities. For, If we contemplate the common principles explicated in the Phyſiological part of it, we ſhall finde them very barren and unfruitful of ſuch Notions as are preſum'd to come from them: and very far from opening a proſpect into thoſe moſt intricate and numberleſs Phaenomena which happen in the Body of man, and inſtead of that good which might well be expected from principles of true and demonſtrated Reaſon, by which you might have been directed to ſuch a Methodus medendi as ſhould grow out of the true knowledge of the cauſes of things. Theſe principles have produc'd two great evils. 1. Inſtead of the true way of the Ancients, of educating Youth in exerciſes of Anatomy, viſiting the Sick with their Maſters, examining the nature of Simples in Fields and Gardens, practiſing to compound Medicines with their own hands; they are bred onely to Diſputation and the fond Controverſies of Books. And 2dly, They have cauſed the cares of Anatomy, inſpection of Vegetables, Minerals, &c. (although from theſe ariſe the greateſt part of thoſe Experiments which are to be the foundation of a Medical Philoſophy) to lie unobſerv'd and neglected in ſuch hands as are no way capable to make a true uſe of them. Therefore for the effective application of the principles of a better Philoſophy to the noble Experiments of Phyſick, in which vaſt deſign Des Cartes hath reſolv'd to ſpend the whole remainder of his life; it will be neceſſary to bring again thoſe Experiments into the hands of ſuch perſons who know how to manage and employ them for the ſervice both of Philoſophy and Phyſick.

I look upon your learned Colledge of Phyſicians as the onely company of men in this Kingdom, who are in a juſt capacity of advancing this good deſign; being ſuch men, as (without the vanity of over-admiring our ſelvs) may truly be ſaid to have advanc'd Phyſick more theſe laſt forty years, then any one Society of Phyſicians in Europe: Eſpecially, ſince I hear they have made ſo great an acceſſion of worthy and ingenious perſons to their number, and that not onely of ſuch as are reſiding in London, but alſo in all other parts of the Kingdom; by which means, a noble correſpondence may be eſtabliſhed, concerning the Diſeaſes incident to ſeveral parts, as Where they take their riſe, and what their motion and progreſs is, as was of late years obſervable in the Rickets, &c. The nature of the reſpective Soils, as to Vegetables, Earths, Minerals, Metals, &c. Alterations of Weather and Seaſons, and many other things relating to the Buſineſs of Phyſick. Alſo by this encreaſe of their number, you have the aſſiſtance of ſo many worthy perſons for the carrying on of this excellent deſign.

I ſhould think it therefore adviſable in the firſt place, that your Learned Society would divide all their affairs (after the example of the moſt Honourable Aſſembly of the Nation) among ſeveral Committees to be aſſign'd for that purpoſe. And although the Phyſiological part, which takes upon it ſelf to explicate the cauſes of all that follows after, be I confeſs in order of Nature the firſt, yet will it be found the laſt in order of Time: as being indeed the reſult, product, or iſſue of many laborious and careful Experiments, which are firſt to be made in the other parts of this Noble Art, before a Medical Phyſiology can be well and firmly conſtituted.

Therefore your firſt care will be (in my opinion) to appoint the Committee for Anatomy's, which ſhould conſiſt of ſuch a ſufficient number of men, as that the whole buſineſs of Anatomy might be diſtributed in eaſie proportions amongſt them all. As for inſtance, to ſome the conſideration of the Brain ſhould be aſſign'd, to others of the Heart, to others the Juyces of the Body, to others the Bones, and the like, which you know better how to digeſt then I: And theſe to be conſider'd as well in all other Animals, as in the body of Man, that ſo by comparing one with another, we may come to inveſtigate their true and genuine uſes: Inſpection alſo to be made into all morbid Bodies that can be procur'd (for which reaſon all or any Member of this Committee to have free acceſs to the ſeveral Hoſpitals) to finde out the Anomaly's which Diſeaſes introduce: Likewiſe theſe conſiderations ſhould be in part Geometrical, noting the juſt figure, weight, and proportion (as near as can be) of every thing, and that not only of its whole bulk or manifeſt cavities, but by the advantage of the Microſcope, as far as may be diſcerned, of its more minute parts, their frame, and texture. Partly alſo Phyſical, according to all their ſenſible qualities, partly Chymical, by the Analyſis of the fire, or any convenient Menſtruum. Nor would this create much trouble to any man, being divided into ſo many hands; and yet the general deſign would advance more in a few years this way, then it could by the ſingle induſtry of particular men in a whole age. For neither this nor the other Committees ſhould be requir'd to bring in an account of their proceedings above once in a year, nor to meet together above once a moneth, unleſs they or any number of them ſhould be willing to meet oftner to diſcourſe of their affairs, and ſuggeſt Experiments to one another.

After this manner, another Committee ſhould be inſtituted for the Hiſtory of Diſeaſes. (For what I deſign to propoſe concerns onely matter of Fact, and the true ſtating of Experiments in order to the building a Philoſophy upon them.) By the Hiſtory of Diſeaſes I mean a perfect and exact Narrative of thoſe Signes which you call Diagnoſtick and Prognoſtick, together with the experienced method of Curation: And I think a work of this nature well perform'd would be one of the moſt uſeful things to a Phyſician in the whole world; and I note it as one of the great Deſiderata in this Art: all which ſhould be done as well out of all the beſt Authors, as from their own Practice and Obſervation. For as to Medicaments, by which the effect is done, that which ought to be eſteemed matter of Fact is ſo obſcure, and the Experiment ſo uncertain, that unleſs they can meet with ſome effectual operations of Simples (which will require both good Learning and Judgement to obſervewell) as yet this part will afford little matter for the conſideration of a judicious man.

Then the whole Materia Medica, both ſimple and compound, ſhould be referr'd to the examination of another Committee; every member whereof ſhould have one, two, or more Simples or Compounds (either Mineral, Animal, or Vegetable) the nature and vertues of which they ſhould labour by all means poſſible to finde out, as by colour, taſte, ſcent, infuſion, decoction, deſtillation before and after Fermentation, and all other poſſible wayes, &c. Endeavouring in this manner to finde out what things are moſt operative with or without any exquiſite and elaborate preparation, by which Chymiſts do often rather deſtroy then heighten the vertues of the Simple: Alſo for compounds to enquire the true method of mixing things together, that ſome may not annihilate the force of others, and ſo altogether become ineffectual, which will produce an incredible alteration in moſt of the Pharmacopaea's now in uſe, bring in the true and ancient way of medication by Simples, and ſo furniſh us with real Experiments both of uſe to humane life, and alſo to the advancement of Philoſophy, being without doubt the moſt eaſie and effectual way (by dividing a work ſo vaſt amongſt ſo many) to form and build up ſuch a natural Hiſtory both of Galenical and Chymical Medicines as has been long deſired, but never yet ſeen in the world. And this were a more likely and hopeful way, then to put the buſineſs of Chymiſtry (which as I hear ſome do ſo importunately labour for) into the hands of a few men (for the moſt part) unlearned, and unprovided of ſuch principles and helps as ſhould make them able to reaſon and conclude intelligibly from that brave ſtock of Experiments which this Art affords: And for this cauſe onely it has been (until of late) ſo unſerviceable to Philoſophy, and produc'd nothing but idle and extravagant Theories, ſuch as thoſe of Paracelſus and Helmont; who, if they had been as good Philoſophers as they were Operators, would have done a great deal more ſervice to mankinde.

Laſtly for Medicaments themſelves, and the application of them to the cure of Diſeaſes, which is the principal thing the generality of mankinde expects from Phyſick; I take that not to be the buſineſs of any one or more Committees, but of their whole number united in one common conſent; and I am perſwaded it were no difficult thing to take ſuch a courſe here, as might ſecure your Practice entirely to your ſelves, and hinder others, who now are ſuſpected (how juſtly I do not ſay) to go about to uſurp it; take away the exceſſive charge of Phyſick, which renders it very burdenſome to the people, and leſs profitable to your ſelves; and laſtly, make it become more effectual and powerful for the curing of Diſeaſes, and preſerving the health and life of Man.

And all this ſeems to me to conſiſt in the execution of one facil and eaſie thing, That is to ſay, That the Colledge of Phyſicians would pleaſe to enact, under a ſevere Penalty, That from henceforth none of their Members ſhould make uſe of the common and more modern way of ſending Bills to Apothecaries Shops; but inſtead of that, To buy their Phyſick of the ſaid Apothecaries more or leſs, as their practice ſhall requi • e. Together with expreſs order, That no Phyſick ſhould be given to any Patient without ſetting it first down in ſuch manner and form as was accuſtomed before in the Bills ſent to Apothecaries, with the Patients name, Year of our Lord, and day of the Moneth; and every ſuch Bill to be fil'd up and kept by the Phyſician. And the Phyſick ſo bought to be diſpenſed at home to the Patient by the Phyſician himſelf, or his Servant, (or ſome young Student, educated under him for that and all other things appertaining to his Art) at reaſonable rates: The Phyſician not to demand or expect any other payment but for his Phyſick only, unleſs he be ſent for out of his own Houſe, and then to be paid his accuſtomed Fee, according to the Ability of the Patient. Yet this not to prejudice any other Phyſician of the Colledge, who would take on him the Trouble and Charge of preparing all his Phyſick himſelf, which was the uſe of the Ancients.

The reaſons of this Propoſition, and the advantages it brings are very many, and of great conſideration. 1. It appoaches as near to the genuine and true Method of Hippocrates, Galen, and other great Maſters of Phyſick, as the preſent conſtitution of things will admit. And though your Self very well know what they did this way, yet give me leave to put you in minde of ſome paſſages of Hippocrates and Galen to this effect; for which I was lately beholding to Dr.—our worthy friend; He firſt acquainted me with the Letter of Hippocrates to an Herbariſt his acquaintance, to provide him things for the Cure of Democritus, where he demands only Simples, as Juyces and Tears of Plants, which he orders to be ſent in Glaſs Veſſels, and Leavs, Roots, and Flowers, which he bids him put up in earthen Pots well clos'd; he directs him to the time of gathering them, and the place, which was not difficult for him to do who was ſo well knowing of their Natures, ſince he tells us how often he viſited his Gardens, and contemplated with wonder that Myſterious place the Earth, which brings forth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Animals, Plants, Food, Medicine, and Riches. And theſe Simples ſo bought and received were by himſelf to be prepared and compounded, as occaſion ſhould require. I need not deſcribe to you the Phyſicians Shop out of the ſame Author, who has a whole Treatiſe of it; I ſhall content my ſelf with a paſſage out of his Book, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . The converſation and manners of a Phyſician, which evidently ſhows, how that Phyſicians of that time, did not onely diſpenſe their own Medicines themſelves, but make them too in Shops of their own, by Hippocrates called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . His words are theſe, A Phycſiian, ſayes he, ought to have his Shop or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 provided with plenty of all neceſſary things, as Lint, Rowlers, Splints; all ſorts of Chirurgical Inſtruments; alſo of Medicines, as for Wounds, for the Eyes, &c. alwayes ready prepar'd. Let there be likewiſe (ſayes he) in readineſs at all times another ſmall Cabinet (as it were) of ſuch things, as may ſerve for occaſions of going far from home; have alſo ready all ſorts of Plaiſters, Potions, purging Medicines, ſo contriv'd that they may keep ſome conſiderable time; and likewiſe ſuch as may be had and uſed while they are freſh. The advantage of this will be very great; for when you come to a Patient you will be more ready and certain what to do, having all things prepar'd by you for your occaſions. Which is indeed a moſt excellent reaſon to perſwade this courſe, and much better then the haſty and praecipitate way of writing Bills.

And for Galen, the ſame worthy Perſon has inform'd me, There are ſo many things in him to this effect, that it would be too great a vanity for me to tell you how he travell'd to Cyprus to enquire the nature of Mettals, ſee Pompholyx, Cadmia, Diphryges, Vitriol; and brought home ſuch quantity with him as might ſerve him all his life; how he viſited Paleſtine for its rich Balſom, and the Bitumen found there; or how curious he was at Lemnos, to ſee the Terra Lemnia there: he went likewiſe to Crete, Alexandria, and ſeveral other places for the ſame end, and moſt earneſtly conjures all who deſign'd themſelves to this Study to do as he did, and provide againſt the frauds and abuſes of Impoſtors; notwithſtanding the great expence neceſſary for ſuch an undertaking. And a little after complains of a ſort of men, who contented themſelves to know Simples out of Books, Becauſe (ſayes he) the knowledge of ſenſible things can never be acquir'd but by frequent inſpection, and often repeated views. I need not adde that he had a Repoſitory, which he call'd his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (from whence the name of Apothecary came) where he tells us his Medicines were alwayes under his Eye, or in his hand. To acquaint you that he made the Emperours Treacle with his own hands, or dreſs'd the wounded Gladiators himſelf; nor ever gave any Medicine of which he had not firſt taſted and ſmelt, nay, made experiment of it (he ſayes) upon his own perſon, and how he was hated by the Roman Phyſicians for uſing Simples and plain Medicines; would from me to you be extreamly impertinent, who know all this ſo much better then I. I ſhall content my ſelf for the preſent to rectifie a miſtake of ſome who think that there was a trade of men in Galens time, ſuch as our Apothecaries now are: but this proceeds from want of underſtanding the ancient ſenſe of the word Pharmacopola, which in thoſe times ſignifi'd not an Apothecary, but ſuch a perſon as we now call a Mountebank; one who ſold Phyſick in Markets, Fairs, and other places of publick Concourſe: And theſe were ever reputed at Rome among the baſeſt and meaneſt men of the Town, and were obnoxious to the common Laws made againſt Rogues and Vagabonds, as Pliny has noted; And if there were nothing elſe we might take their Character from Horace.

Ambubaiarum Collegia, Pharmacopolae, Mendici, Mimi, Balatrones, hoc genus omne Moeſtum ac ſollicitum eſt Cantoris morte Tigelli.

And out of Max. Tyrius, We ſhall find (ſayes he) that there is no kinde of good thing but ſome evil will endeavour to counterfeit it; ſo a Sycophant will imitate an Orator, a Sophiſter a Philoſopher, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And a Quack will pretend himſelf a Phyſician. And for the Word Apothecary in Scripture, 'tis ſo well known, that word means only ſellers of rich Oyntments, Perfumes, Balſoms, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and ſuch other Coſmeticks as were in uſe in thoſe Countreys (which ſort of men were after by the Greeks call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and among the Romans from the place they inhabited Seplaſiarii, & Ʋnguentarii:) that I ſhall not give you any further trouble about it.

2. The ſecond reaſon for this Method is this: The Phyſician is hereby oblig'd to make himſelf throughly acquainted with the Nature, Goodneſs, and exact Preparations of Medicines now ſold by the Apothecary, whether Simple or Compound. Otherwiſe he will not know how to lay out his money, and may eaſily be impos'd upon by the diſhoneſty of another, to the ruine of his Patient, of his Reputation, and conſequently of his Livelihood and Subſiſtence. For what ever accident may happen from the ill preparation of the Phyſick, it will now become the fault of the Phyſician, whoſe ignorance, or neglect it was, that he did not provide what was good for his occaſion.

3. For the reaſon before alledg'd, The Phyſician will be alſo engag'd to frequent viſits of the Apothecaries Shop, to view his Simples, and conſider his manner of preparation; from which he will likewiſe gain many opportunities of Improving Medicines already in uſe, both as to their Eſſicacy and Operation, and alſo as to their Taſte and Scent, which ought to be one great part of a Phyſicians care, and is now too much neglected; although nothing can be more his intereſt then this. He will be alſo more able to invent new Medicines, and bring in the uſe of Simples yet undiſcover'd: Laſtly he will have frequent occaſions of obſerving many excellent Phaenomena, which now paſs unregarded through the hands of Apothecaries and their Servants, for the uſe and ſervice of Philoſophy.

4. This renders the Phyſician much more acceptable to every Patient, and affords him many real opportunities of gaining his hearty kindeneſs and affection, which others now enjoy: and alſo takes away the Scandal and Reflexion which is caſt upon the Phyſician by ſome Apothecaries, and upon both the Phyſician and Apothecary by Mountebanks, and thoſe that call themſelves Chymiſts. For the firſt, Although the writing of a Bill and directing proper Remedies for every Diſtemper be the reſult of the pains, and careful Study of many Years, and the Phyſician that preſcribes well may juſtly be ſaid (under God Almighty) to be principal in the cure of the Diſeaſe; yet an ordinary Patient is not ſenſible of this, but thinks it very hard to part with ten ſhillings for a few words in Paper; eſpecially when he muſt go from thence to the Apothecary, and there be at another extraordinary charge for what was preſcribed, and alſo uſe ſome means beſide, to oblige the Apothecary to prepare it well: Whereas if the ſame Phyſician ſhould, inſtead of that, give the Phyſick it ſelf that is to be taken, at a reaſonable and moderate price, aſſuring the Patient of his care to prepare it as it ought to be, and alſo his counſel and advice for nothing (unleſs ſent for out of his own houſe) he muſt needs infinitely gain the heart and good will of every man. Beſides many occaſions would be offer'd of giving to the Poor for nothing, which is Chriſtian Charity; and ſometimes alſo to the Rich themſelves, of which a wiſe man will know how to make an honourable and diſcreet advantage, and put frequent obligations upon them. For the ſecond, I remember well the Apothecaries counſel laid a great and unhandſome ſcandal upon all your Colledge, and that in publick, before a Committee of our Houſe, affirming you incompetent to viſit their Shops, or to make a judgement of their Medicines; and though it was then ſaid with much raſhneſs and paſſion (there being ſo great a number of your Learned Members excellently knowing this way) yet I wiſh there had been no cauſe to think it in ſome part true. But this will for ever prevent all calumny of that nature; for now you will underſtand them better then the Apothecaries themſelves. On the other ſide, the Mountebanks, Chymists, &c. have nothing to boaſt of ſo much, as the making their own Phyſick, recommending their great induſtry and care to finde out and prepare exactly the beſt of Medicines: and accuſing the Shops of dull, enactive, and ſlight preparations, and your ſelves of too much delicacy, pride, ſloth, and ignorance, for not providing better, and taking pains (as they pretend to do) in ſearching into the Rich and large Stock of Remedies, which the wiſdom and bounty of Nature has created in ſo great plenty for the benefit of men.

5. This will reſtore the ancient, true, and only fit way of breeding up young Students in this Faculty: That is to ſay, in exerciſes of Anatomy, knowledge of Herbs, mixing and compounding Medicines, viſiting the Sick under the direction of a grave Phyſician; not as they are now for the moſt part, in ſpeculative diſcourſes only, and reading of Books. Thus was the late famous Dr. Wright the younger educated under Dr. Fox, and was the firſt Phyſician that diſſected at the Colledge, which till his time had ever made uſe of Chirurgeons in their publick Theatre. And while the young Phyſician employes his induſtry in ſuch ſervices as theſe for the elder, he gains, (beſides what is learn't from Books and Authors) the long experience of the other, ſees his Patients, hears him diſcourſe of their ſeveral caſes, conſiders the Medicines provided for them, and obſerves their ſeveral effects: All which advantages you now in vain give away to Apothecaries, to whom the Practice of Phyſick does not belong. And if this has been the courſe that all mankinde has ever taken to raiſe and propagate Practical Arts and Trades of daily uſe in humane life, why ſhould it not be us'd in Phyſick, which is a Practical Art of ſo much greater conſequence? eſpecially if we conſider how dangerous the errors of this Profeſſion are, and how neceſſary a Practical Education is for any man that intends the exerciſe of it, as Galen, and more particularly Hippocrates, often inculcates, and the nature of the thing makes it evident. I need not tell you how it was confin'd till the time of Hippocrates to one ſingle Family, under a curſe not to communicate it to any other, nor reckon up the many famous men who were Galen's Maſters, from whom he learn't this Art, and whom he mentions with ſo much honour. Yet give me the favour to recall an excellent Paſſage of Hippocrates to this effect. He adviſes a Phyſician when he carries his Diſciples with him to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . a Patient, to appoint in his abſence ſuch a one of them to obſerve the Patient as is well advanc'd and ſtudied in this Art, and knows what is fit to be done, and how to give him an account of the caſe, that ſo he may be ignorant of nothing that is material, though he could not be there himſelf. Theſe things conſider'd, if a perſon of three or four years ſtanding in either of our Ʋniverſities (for none elſe ſhould be entertained by any) ſhould agree with a Phyſician for a reaſonable conſideration and acknowledgement to be made (which was held very honourable in Hippocrates age, as appears in his Oath, and was the practice at that time) to live with him till he be Doctor in that Faculty (being oblig'd to take his Degrees in due time with performance of all the accuſtomed Exerciſes: nor to be admitted to them without the Certificate of the ſaid Phyſician, both concerning his Time and good Deportment.) Or if a perſon already Batchelor in Phyſick ſhould contract to ſtay till he become Doctor, taking his Degrees, as was before expreſt: and theſe two abſolutely prohibited Practice till they have taken the degree of Doctor: Or if any already Doctor ſhould contract for as long a time as he and an elder Phyſician can agree (not to Practiſe during his continuance with him, without his knowledge and conſent) I ſhould think for the reaſons alledg'd, it were the beſt and moſt deſireable way to inſtitute men for that Profeſſion, and might with great facility be brought into practice, and is at this time the uſe of many parts of Italy. Nor does a Phyſician run half the fortune of other men who breed up Youth to their Trades, ſince the old Phyſician will ever be held by the world for the more able man. Nor let any man think to diſgrace this Method as Mechanical, by the imputation of taking Apprentices; ſince the word Apprentice is entertained by the honourable Profeſſion of the Law, whoſe younger Students have been call'd Apprentices to the Law; but however this be, it were very fond for ſo poor an occaſion, to neglect a thing that is founded upon the evidence of true reaſon it ſelf. Nor indeed ſhould they be received in the capacity of Servants, or under that name, but rather of young Students, Friends, or vertuous Companions to be inſtructed in this worthy Profeſſion; the drudgery of all things reſting wholly upon ſome ordinary Servant kept by every one for the uſes of his Family: and I make no doubt but there are very many ingenious young men in England, who would be very glad, and take it for a great honour, to be thus received by ſome of the Grandees, and great Practitioners; and their Friends believe whatever is beſtowed on them in this way very well and honourably employed.

6. This will bring all ſorts of men both rich and poor to apply themſelves immediately to the Phyſician, and ſo in a ſhort time quite overthrow the practice of Mountebanks, and other Perſons ignorant of the Art of Phyſick, who now take upon them to adminiſter it, contrary to the Laws of the Nation, and to the great prejudice and damage of the people: For it is not to be thought, but all men who have occaſion to uſe Phyſick would much more willingly addreſs themſelves to a ſober and intelligent Phyſician, then to this ſort of men: But firſt, the charge of advice is great, and then as great the charge of Phyſick, at the Apothecaries; which things ſo affright the ordinary ſort of people, that they very unwillingly come to a Phyſician, and many periſh for want of due help. And I am perſwaded if there were no other reaſon then this, every Phyſician who is touch'd with Conſcience, Honour, or Philoſophy, will be very glad to entertain ſome expedient, that may remove the ſcandalous Reluctancy that moſt people have of uſing this Profeſſion.

7. This will render the practice of Phyſick more ſucceſsful, plentiful, and of no leſs advantage then before: As for the ſucceſs; beſides that the Phyſician may juſtly have a greater confidence in his Phyſick, now he takes care himſelf to have nothing but what is good, than he could before when it was made up out of his ſight; he has alſo the opportunity of ſeeing every Diſeaſe in its firſt riſe, and beginning, which gives him a mighty advantage for the true underſtanding and cure of it. And for the encreaſe of his Practice the bringing ſo many people of all ſorts to him for advice, who before durſt not come, will much enlarge his Buſineſs and Experience, and not make his Profit leſs: for though he gain nothing more, by the Phyſick he gives, than what will barely recompence the trouble of himſelf and his Miniſter for diſpenſing it; yet he will not loſe, ſince in all acute caſes, and ſuch as hinder the Patients attendance in perſon, (and he is ſeldom ſent for in any other) he muſt neceſſarily be brought home, as he now is to all people of condition.

8. The trouble of undertaking is but little, eſpecially after the firſt entrance into it, and valu'd with the great good it will bring to ſo noble a Faculty; and the great caſe, profit, and advantage it affords to an Elder Phyſician, not unworthy of conſideration. Firſt the ancient Phyſician may employ the eye, hand, and youthful vigour of the younger to aſliſt the frailties of Age, and humanity. Alſo it will take off much of the labour of viſits in his own perſon, or when call'd up unreaſonably at Nights, or when he goes into the Countrey to other Patients, or to refreſh himſelf a little from the toils of Buſineſs: For the people would finde greater ſatisfaction in the viſits of another Phyſician bred under him they ſo much confide in, than when he is forc'd to ſend his Apothecary. On the other ſide the Phyſician himſelf would be much better ſatisfied in the report of his Patients caſe, as Hippocrates has excellently noted.

9. In ſome reſpects, this way is much better then that uſed by the Ancients of making all their Phyſick at home. 1. It is leſs troubleſome; publick Shops being now open, furniſh'd with all ſorts of Medicines commonly us'd, or where all ſuch Phyſick may be ſuddenly and dextrouſly prepar'd which any man ſhall in particular deſire for his own occaſion. 2. 'Tis leſs expenſive, for now every man buyes only ſo much as he ſhall have uſe for, be it more or leſs; ſo that the charge of money thus laid out is exactly meaſur'd to the proportion of every ones practice: ſuch as are but juſt entred into buſineſs, will accordingly expend but a ſmall matter in Phyſick, and that too may eaſily be diſpens'd by themſelves, with the aſſiſtance of an ordinary domeſtick ſervant, remitting a great many things, as, common Clyſters, &c. to the Patients own making, giving him only the ingredients, as is now the uſe of the Phyſicians in Paris. 3. 'Tis more certain: for a man that provides his own Phyſick, and makes it himſelf, will never know well how to eſtimate his quantities; he will have ſometimes too much which turns to loſs; or too little, and ſo want when he has occaſion to make uſe of it; but now he buyes only what is neceſſary, and can never want, unleſs you ſuppoſe all the Shops in Town exhauſted; for there will be nothing in common uſe, but one or other Shop will afford it: to which we may adde, that he has now his choice of what is both cheapeſt and beſt, whereas the negligence of a Servant might either make a thing ill, or in the making ſpoil it ſo, that he might begin a new, though preſent occaſion may require it for uſe. 4. It will enlarge the materia Medica, and make a greater variety of Practice, which muſt needs be of excellent concernment, unleſs we think (as ſome over-bold men have lately don) that nature has made ſo ample proviſions in vain: but they who provide at home, will be lead (to ſave expenſe as much as they can) to confine themſelves to a very ſcanty and narrow method of Practice: as ſome fooliſh perſons know no other Medicaments but what are made from Mercury and Antimony, deſpiſing all the royal Apparatus of Gods Creatures beſide; though we cannot doubt but the vaſt alterations, and various diſpoſitions of Bodies, Climates, Diſeaſes were particularly aim'd at by Nature in her ſo infinite and magnificent proviſions of help. And though I do not deny that Medicaments, Antimonials, and Mercurials decently prepar'd are of wonderful efficacy; yet it is ſo well known they cannot perform half that is ſo idly promis'd by their admirers at all times, and in all bodies; and that a mean and ordinary decoction has in ſome caſes effected what they could not do. 5. By preſerving the publick ſellers of Medicines or Pharmacopolae, you comply with the preſent State of things which cannot well admit any other change then what has been ſaid.

10. And whereas many apprehenſions, and ſuſpicions have lately ariſen between the Phyſician and Apothecary, as if the Apothecary did invade the Phyſicians practice: This way will for ever moſt entirely and abſolutely ſecure his Practice and Profeſſion to himſelf. For now the Apothecary will never ſee a Phyſicians Bill (from which they alwayes take direction) nor the Patient himſelf, and ſo be utterly ignorant of that caſe for which the Phyſick is prepar'd and us'd; nor will he hear the Phyſician reaſon and diſcourſe of the due times and manner of adminiſtring it, or explain the nature and cauſe of the diſtemper, nor have occaſions of officious intervening between the Phyſician and Patient, nor diſpenſe the Phyſick with praiſe of his own great pains and care in preparing it, as he was wont to do: ſo that he will quickly free himſelf of the imputation ſome now lay upon him, and be for ever unable to do the Phyſician that injury which is now ſuppos'd to be done by ſome of them. All this the Phyſician obtains by only concealing his Bills (the writing of a Bill being, as I may ſay, the myſtery of his Trade) in which therefore he does nothing but what is held moſt reaſonable among all men.

11. This will likewiſe ſecure the Phyſician another way againſt the ſuppos'd uſurpation of Apothecaries: for if any Apothecary ſhall take on him to practiſe Phyſick, upon notice giv'n to the Colledge, it may be enacted among your ſelves (without troubling the Parliament for new power, and without the envious way of ſining and impriſonment) That no Phyſician ſhall buy any Medicines of ſuch Apothecary till the Colledge be fully ſatisfied that he is ſenſible of the injury done to them, and will ceaſe to do the like for the Future.

12. It gives every Phyſician as many, or more opportunities of doing kindneſs to his particular friends that are Apothecaries: And that is, by being himſelf, and engaging as many Phyſicians as he has intereſt in, to become their cuſtomers.

13. As to matter of Conſultation among Phyſicians, it is here ſufficiently provided for by fileing up Bills of all the Phyſick they give; and therefore this is to be required of every man by the Colledge, under ſevere Penalties. And if any man have particular Medicines of his own which you call Noſtra, the caſe is here the ſame as in the former way. For I am inform'd, every Phyſician is oblig'd to acquaint the Colledge with them if it be requir'd. Beſides, this filing of Bills (or entring them into a Book) may have another excellent uſe: For doing it Alphabetically, a Phyſician may by ſome private note diſcern a great while after, which of his Medicines had a good effect, and which had not, or fail'd, and in what Tempers of Body, and how to accommodate himſelf to the ſame perſons at other times: and laſtly, may from hence (if he pleaſes) produce great numbers of obſervations, which may well deſerve the Publick, and be highly uſeful to Poſterity. And it would be very much for the good of their Profeſſion, If no Phyſician would for the future write any thing in the practice of Phyſick but what had been experimented by himſelf, and that all the practitioners of it would be more careful to ſet down ſuch remarkable accidents that come under their obſervation.

14. This way by making the Phyſician a perfect Maſter of the Materia Medica, has theſe three great effects, beſides what has been mention'd already. 1. It renders him more able to diſcover the uſe of Simples, when he has occaſion to travel into Forreign Parts, ſo enlarging both Phyſick and Philoſophy with new and uſeful diſcoveries. 2. He will be more fit to ſerve the Prince in His Navy or Army; where, if his ſtock of Medicines be all ſpent or corrupted, without this knowledge he is utterly uncapable of providing himſelf a new, to his own diſhonour, and prejudice of others. 3. By obſerving the ſeveral mutations that happen in the preparations of things as well Simple as Compound he will be aſſiſted to conſider what effects like them may happen upon their mixture with the Blood, and other juyces of the Body, and to give a huge light to the reaſons of the Phaenomena both in Health and Sickneſs. Of this that very worthy perſon Dr. Willis has already given the world an excellent taſte, and promis'd an entire Diſcourſe upon that ſubject, which would be of vaſt uſe, and in which he ſtands indebted to the publick.

15. It is a generous and worthy thing, that Phyſicians ſhould be knowing in the materia Medica, as was Hippocrates, Galen, and all the old Maſters of this Science. It has been already ſaid how great the endeavour of theſe brave men was, to acquire a perfect underſtanding of all they made uſe of. And without doubt it is a thing moſt indecent and unnatural for a Phyſician to deſpiſe the knowledg of that by which all his great works are to be effected. In the old and heroical times of Phyſick, Medicines were excellently call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , The hands of the gods: And I think it is the higheſt ſort of ſhame to ſee a Phyſician at a loſs for Medicaments in the Countrey, where Nature, the bountiful provider of them has ſo rich and large a Shop open, becauſe he wants his Apothecary to write to, or the knowledge of the things themſelves, or the way how to make uſe of them.

16. This way has in many great reſpects the advantage of the common courſe of writing Bills to the Apothecaries. For in the firſt place, by ſeeing the very things they adminiſtred, by mixing, ordering, compounding them as they have occaſion, by conſideration of the taſtes, ſcents, and colours of Medicines, and how variouſly all theſe are changed and altered by the mixture of ſeveral things together, they will be much more able to preſerve in memory what is proper and uſeful for every Diſtemper, then by reading their names in Books onely, and ſo direct better, and with greater eaſe, and certainty. Likewiſe by underſtanding the true wayes of mixture, and being acquainted with the taſtes and ſcents of things, a great many errors will be avoided, and Phyſick be render'd much more pleaſant and palateable: Finally, a great many excellent Experiments will be drawn from it, for the uſe of Philoſophical ſpeculations. Now in the preſent Method of your Bills, either the Phyſician depends wholly upon the memory of what he has read in Books (which Galen greatly condemns) and then we ſhall never hope to promote this Art beyond its preſent limits, although 'tis well known there are ſo great treaſures of powerful and active Medicines yet undiſcovered: Beſides, if we do not exactly remember the very proportions and meaſures of every thing in every Medicine (which is impoſſible) we cannot reaſonably hope well from it, becauſe (as my Lord Bacon obſerves) the Experiment was made in ſuch quantities only, which when we alter, conſidering the nature of things à priori, are altogether unknown to us, we know not what we do. And though Phyſicians commonly endeavour to provide themſelves rather of the general materia medica then of particular Receipts, yet if we duely weigh the ſtrange alterations that happen upon the blending ſeveral things together, and the unexpected reſults of quite different qualities, the unpleaſing ſcent and taſte they acquire many times, eſpecially if their proportions are not preciſely juſt, we ſhall not think it ſtrange, that ſo wiſe a man as that great Perſon was, blam'd this laſt and uncertain way. And as to the common proportions and quantities by which Phyſicians govern themſelves in the uſual forms of Medicines, they vary ſo much, according to the ſeveral natures of things, that whoever is not well acquainted with the things themſelves ſhall never be able (as Galen notes) to direct as he ought to do. And none will doubt but any Phyſician could make a better Apozem, Potion, Julep, or the like, by meaſuring the Proportions of each ingredient by his taſte and ſcent, then by writing a Bill from the unexact proportions of Authors, eſpecially if he be not very well acquainted with the things he preſcribes. In a word, neither theſe proportions themſelves, nor their Books had ever been at all, if Phyſicians had not in former times been knowing in all Simples, examined their vertues and tempers, enquir'd into their effects, and mixt them with their own hands.

17. Laſtly, if any ſtill think this way too troubleſome, and are unwilling to excuſe a little trouble for ſo many great conveniences both to themſelves and their whole Profeſſion, there remains yet another expedient for them, which they may make uſe of, without doing prejudice to thoſe, we are contented to enter into the courſe already propos'd: They may (if they pleaſe) have an Apothecary of their own, and ſend their Bills to be made up by him as now they are; provided only, 1. That the time and manner of uſing it be not ſet down; nor 2. The name of the Patient. 3. That it be not ſent by the Patient, but by their own Servants. 4. That it be returned to the Phyſicians again with the Phyſick it ſelf, to be fil'd up by them with the Patients name added, or entred into a Book, as was ſaid before; and the Phyſick ſo made and provided by the Phyſicians order, to be fetch'd at their own houſes (as it is now at the Apothecaries Shops) or from thence ſent home by their own Servants to the Patient.

Now if we conſider how this way reſpects the Apothecaries, 'tis evidently a fair and moderate courſe between them and the Phyſicians, not taking away, nor leſſening any of the priviledges and immunities granted to them by their Charter, or which they claim, and enjoy as Freemen of this City, or other Cities and Corporations. For it hinders not their making and ſelling of Phyſick to any that pleaſe to buy of them, which thing only belongs to their Trade: To viſit the Patient, feel his Pulſe, conſider his Ʋrine, diſcourſe of the ſtate of the Diſeaſe, and preſcribe proper Remedies for it, is the buſineſs and care of the Phyſician. So that I dare preſume no Apothecary who is content to live on his own Trade without invading the Profeſſion of another (and I doubt not but the greateſt number and ableſt men among them are ſuch) will think ill of it; but rather be pleaſed to ſee, that for the future all cauſes of jealouſie and ſuſpicion between Phyſicians and them, will for ever ceaſe, the intereſts of both be preſerv'd, and the practice of Mountebanks and Quacks brought to nothing.

2. It will very much conduce to the profit and advantage of the Apothecary: For now the people finding encouragement to addreſs themſelves to the Phyſicians, who before to decline the charge and expence of a Doctors advice, went only to the Mountebank, who made and gave all his Phyſick himſelf; It muſt needs come to paſs, that the Apothecaries muſt provide and vend much greater quantities then they could before; And thus all that which went away to Quacks and other ignorant pretenders be brought into the hands of the induſtrious and careful Apothecary.

3. It will inſenſibly leſſen that exorbitant number of Apothecaries, which makes the Trade burdenſome to it ſelf, and ſcarce a competent ſubſiſtence for a man after he has ſpent a good ſum of money, and ſeven years or more in an Apprenticeſhip to underſtand it. For as things are now, while the Maſters or their Servants are employed by the Phyſician to viſit his Patients, and carry Phyſick about, if an Apothecary have great buſineſs, he will be under a neceſſity of taking ſeveral Apprentices, elſe he cannot perform ſuch attendances abroad, and the buſineſs of the Shop too: And this has made ſo vaſt an encreaſe of the Trade within a few years, as has rendred it but a mean way of livelyhood to a great many, and very dangerous to the ſick: Now as their number will by little and little grow leſs, ſo the Trade will become better, and they who are of it, both for skill and eſtate much more conſiderable.

To come now and conſider how much more this way is for the common good and welfare of the people, and in general of all men. Firſt, it mightily abates the charge and expence of Phyſick: and this is the only reaſon, why ſo many perſons not of the poorer ſort only, but even ſome others of a better condition, daily put themſelves into the hands of Mountebanks and other ignorant perſons, to the great prejudice of the lives and health of men. Alſo many Poor of this City and other places (to the high diſhonour of Religion) periſh for want of neceſſary help; whilſt on the one hand they are terrified by the Phyſicians Fee, and on the other by the unconſcionable and unbounded prices of Apothecaries. A courſe therefore is taken here, that all ſorts of people may apply themſelves to the Phyſician both for advice and Phyſick too, at moderate and reaſonable rates: Nor can it be thought the Phyſician will uſe a greater exceſs in the prices of his Phyſick than others have done, becauſe he does not depend upon the gains of the Phyſick he ſells to ſuch as come home to him, but (as he did before) upon the Fees which he receives from perſons of condition and ability, when he is ſent for out of his own houſe: For the trouble of ſelling his own Phyſick to ſuch as ſhall come to him, he takes upon him only to advance the publick intereſt, ſatisfie himſelf more in his own Profeſſion, ſerve Philoſophy, miniſter to the neceſſities of the Poor, conſult for the greater ſecurity of all, and to gratifie and oblige thoſe Patients whoſe more ample condition of life makes them able to pay ſuch Fees as have formerly been accuſtomed. But if any man ſhould ſell at as dear rates as others have before, yet is it to be conſider'd, that then nothing is paid for advice, which till now was a great and particular charge of it ſelf; and, beſide, Phyſick coſt as much as now 'tis ſuppos'd to do. So that according to this Method, the charge of advice is wholly taken off to the great eaſe of the people, who will have at leaſt both Advice and Phyſick too, for the ſame rate which they before paid for Phyſick alone. But I dare not allow a ſuppoſition ſo unreaſonable, and ſo much not only againſt the honour, but alſo againſt the intereſt of every Phyſician: for admit he ſhould make his Patients pay (as has been formerly done) for the formalities of a Bill, as for a Clyster, a Potion, or Julip, half a Crown or more, and not for the Ingredients, which (it may be) never coſt ſix pence: I ſay, if any ſhould take this courſe, it would quickly be his utter undoing; nor would any Patient make uſe of him another time: but eſpecially they would extreamly murmur to pay him thoſe Fees which otherwiſe he might juſtly expect, and upon which it is his intereſt chiefly to depend, and not upon the inconſiderable gain of the Phyſick he ſells, and chiefly when that ſlight gain ſhall make him ſo great a loſer; whereas by neglecting ſo poor and mean a profit he may have ſo handſome and generous occaſions offer'd him of obliging his Patients in ſuch a manner, as to get much more then he could have done by his Phyſick. And if I may take a conjecture from your ſelf, and ſome other Phyſicians my acquaintance, theſe of your Colledge are ſuch as would ſcorn from Patients ſo civil as to pay the ordinary Fees duly, to take more for their Phyſick then what it barely coſt; nay, often would give it for nothing. And yet if they ſhould make ſome ſmall advantage, it might be allowed them for the money they lay out, for the trouble of themſelves and Servants to make up and diſpenſe the Phyſick, and ſtill it would coſt the people much leſs then before. And that all perſons would very frankly allow this, we have little reaſon to doubt, if we conſider,

2. The many advantages all men receive this way in the more ſpeedy, ſafe, and effectual cure of Diſeaſes, both in reſpect of the Phyſician, the Diſeaſe, and the Phyſick it ſelf. 1. The Phyſician adminiſtring his Phyſick himſelf will be under a neceſſity of taking greater care to have all he uſes very good, and moſt exactly prepared: for no man can now lay the fault upon the neglect or ignorance of an Apothecary. It reſts altogether upon himſelf, and he becomes reſponſible for it: alſo by this means ſecret miſchief by poyſon, or other wayes is more eaſily prevented, when the publick knows where certainly to charge it then when it is diuided among ſeveral parties who transfer the fault from one to another. And ſince the Commonwealth muſt truſt ſome body, they may as well truſt the Phyſician as the Apothecary: for though he write a Bill never ſo good and wholeſome; yet if it be not made as is preſcribed, any kinde of miſchief may follow: And, as far as the Apothecary or his Servant is now believ'd for making Phyſick according to preſcription, ſo far ought the Phyſician to be credited, for uſing only ſuch Phyſick as appears by his Bill fil'd up or entred; and this is no more then what is now allow'd to every Mountebank and Chymist, and what all ancient times have ſecurely put into the Phyſicians hand. 2. In reſpect of the Diſeaſe; it is now the general unhappineſs both of Patient and Phyſician, that he is never almoſt ſent for, till things are brought to extremity, and all opportunities of curing near loſt: where, if the Diſeaſe had been encountred in the firſt riſe of it with powerful and convenient Medicaments, the Patient had been again reſtor'd to Health, whoſe life it may be muſt now anſwer for the firſt omiſſion. 3. In reſpect of the Phyſick it ſelf; for the Diſeaſe thus met in the beginning is often carried off with a little matter, which neglected, requires a long and chargeable courſe. Again, the publick may be aſſur'd, That all Phyſick ſhall now be as good as the Apothecary can make it (elſe no Phyſician will buy it of him) or the Phyſician poſſibly contrive it, for his own honour and advantage. Thus in a ſhort time will the Shops of Apothecaries be rid of all that unwholeſome traſh, that too many now abound with; and the poorer ſort of them who are forced to buy of others to ſet up as for the Countrey (which commonly is the refuſe of their Shops) will, as they juſtly deſerve, be quite diſcourag'd. For though ſuch ſtuff might ſerve well enough to make up a Phyſicians Bill, who is not preſent to ſee what ingredients are uſed, yet they can never vend them to a Phyſician himſelf that comes to buy. Likewiſe the viſitations of Apothecaries Shops will be more frequently, carefully, and ſufficiently manag'd. And laſtly, Apothecaries will be more in their Shops, and not leave things to raw or negligent Servants as is too often done; for not being ſent about by Phyſicians to their Patients, or with Phyſick; nor engag'd in any quacking practice of their own, they will have more leiſure and opportunity to attend making good Medicines, which is their proper buſineſs.

3. The charge of the people for Phyſick will be much leſſen'd both as to the quantity and quality of it. For now many Phyſicians are forc'd to abandon my Lord Bacon's counſel, who adviſes by no means to recede raſhly from any experimented Receipt or Form; becauſe this would bring them into the contempt of Apochecaries, and alſo diſcover their practice ſo, as the Apothecary might uſe it to their prejudice, as ſome have done: Not to mention how many are oblig'd to write a great deal more then is neceſſary, putting in things of great price and little effect to ſerve diſhonourable intereſts.

I have heard ſome worthy Members of your Colledge wiſh alſo that a new Pharmacopoea were agreed upon: But it was quite of another Nature from that now in uſe: For although this be better than any other extant. Yet I know they well underſtand, it has many things that need Reformation: but that is a buſineſs that requires mature conſideration, and the preſent perplexity of affairs will not permit it; yet I think you are not unwilling the world ſhould know, you can take notice where it is defective, as well or better than any of thoſe men, who would go about to diſgrace it with vain and impertinent clamors taken out of Zwelfer and ſome other Writers. It was wiſht that the Shops inſtead of the Medicines now commonly made, were furniſhed with Simples only. Of which, ſuch as are beſt and moſt effectually uſed with a little, or an eaſie preparation, as powdering, infuſing, boiling, and the like, ſhould be ſo kept as might longeſt preſerve their vertue and operation: and ſuch as are moſt operative by a more curious way of preparing, as in Tinctures, Extracts, Eſſences, Elixirs, Spirits, Syrrups, Juyces, Robs, Conſerves, &c. to be likewiſe in ſuch manner prepar'd, as may retain their vertues moſt, and likewiſe render them moſt durable. By which means, although the preſent expence of making them be more, yet conſidering their long duration, it will in effect be leſs then it is in the preſent Method. The Phyſician that comes to buy will be able to make a better judgement of their goodneſs, and may uſe them either either ſimple (which was the way of ancient times) or compound them as he ſees occaſion, by which he will likewiſe come to obſerve the many and great alterations that happen from mixtures of ſeveral things together; he will alſo be more able to make them guſtful and palateable; thus preſerving the Tone of the Stomach, which is ſo much deſtroyed by ordinary Phyſick, that in Chronical Diſtempers it may be doubted whether it do not more hurt this way than it can do good another. Likewiſe in all compoſitions he will be ſure to have the vertues of every ingredient, which will ſcarce be found in the compounds of the Shops, as has well been obſerved by Zwelfer: yet he himſelf is not without his faults in the ſame kinde too, as my little experiments have informed me: In a word, Simple Medicines thus prepared and kept, are not ſo ſubject to corrupt by the uſual fermentations of mixt things, and ſo will be more effectual for the uſe of ſuch Phyſicians or Chirurgeons as have occaſion to carry them abroad with them (as Hippocrates has well noted;) or ſuch as are employed in the Service of His Majeſties Armies or Navies.

But, not to give you too much trouble with my long Letter, if we pleaſe to conſider the ſtrange and intricate variations of Diſeaſes, brought in partly by new Dyet, diſcoveries of new places, the nature of particular Soils, and how theſe are mixt, combin'd, and complicated both with the old, and with one another; it will be the rather neceſſary to put ſomething of this nature in execution. I have often heard your ſelf, and ſeveral others of your ingenious Collegues diſcourſe well and ſubſtantially on this Argument, which makes me the more wonder at the late Writer of Medela Medicinae, who would, contrary to his own reaſon and conſcience, endeavour to perſwade the world, that this was a thing altogether unthought of, not only by your Colledg of Phyſicians, but all thoſe who are commonly call'd Galeniſts: and yet he himſelf hath ſaid no one thing in that whole diſcourſe, concerning this matter, that can be pretended new, for which he has not cited the very Books, and words of ſome Galeniſt, or Methodiſt, as he calls them: And to me it ſeems the greateſt Argument in the world on your behalf, why his Majeſty and the Parliament ſhould ſhew you all manner of kindeneſs, that ſuch various and irregular changes daily appear in the Diſtempers of humane Body: For if we allow Phyſick to be altogether Empirical (as he pretends) it muſt needs follow, that in ſuch things he ought to be eſteem'd moſt able and ſufficient, who is furniſh'd with moſt and beſt Experiments, either from his own obſervation, and theſe are properly his; or by reading of Books, which afford him the experiments of all the reſt of the world, and can beſt conclude and argue from the Analogy, Correſpondence, and Harmony, they have to one another; ſo that a ſtudy'd Phyſician muſt in all conſideration of reaſon have far the advantage of any other. But 'tis alledg'd, You are too rigoroufly confin'd to the rules and methods of the Ancients, who had few or no experiments of this kinde; and likewiſe neglect that high and more potent way of Medicine, which the Chymiſts only know how to make uſe of. But 'tis evident, this is a very unkinde and unjuſt imputation; for though in the former age, when Chymiſtry firſt began to ſhow it ſelf in Europe, It was condemned for its novelty and dreaded as full of dangers; yet for any to affirm in theſe more illuminated times that Phyſicians ſo oblige themſelves to ancient Methods, as to deſpiſe or not conſider the differences and alterations of ſeveral times, Regions, Dyets, Tempers, changes of Diſeaſes caus'd by theſe; The new and more exquiſite wayes of preparing Medicines: If he be a man of learning and underſtanding, he muſt needs be thought to abuſe his own reaſon for ſome particular intereſt; ſince he brings ſo great a ſcandal not onely upon many worthy private perſons, but upon the freedom and ingenuity of the whole age; whoſe happineſs and honour it is to be unconfin'd, and diſdains the Pedantry of being enſlav'd to any name or ſect whatſoever: and when an Inquiſition of truth comes before them, can as little regard the names of Hippocrates and Galen, as of Paracelſus or Helmont: and as freely make uſe of any thing it findes good in theſe, as reject what is untrue or miſtaken in the other. And to meaſure the temper of the preſent time by that of the paſt, is ſo great an injuſtice, that I will deſire no other inſtance to ſhew it, then out of that Book. For thoſe very men who were (as he ſayes) at firſt condemned by publick cenſure of the Colledge of Paris, Sir Theod. Mayern, and Quercetan, came by his own confeſſion, in after times to be held and reputed among the greateſt Phyſicians of their Age: nay further, to ſee how little you deſpiſe Rational Chymiſtry; One of theſe very ſame men Sir Theod. Mayern, a great Chymist, and an excellent Phyſician, was one of the chief men of your Colledge in his time, and had a great ſhare in making the Pharmacopoea.

Since then your ſelves look upon Rational Chymiſtry, as an excellent way of enquiry into the natures of things, and manag'd with ſound Reaſon and Philoſophy, an excellent way alſo of preparing Medicines; ſince you are as much converſant in Chymical Authors as any others, and have as many and more aſſiſtances, of learning and experience to judge of them (by which I am ſure you diſcern every day, as many vain and abſurd things in the beſt of them as any pretended Chymiſt can finde in the Pharmacopoea) ſince you condemn no ſober perſon that loves this noble Art, but ſuch idle and vain men only, or, to ſay moſt ſoftly of them, ſuch melancholy Operators, who being wholly deſtitute of thoſe principles that ſhould make them able to judg with reaſon of their own experiments, and tranſported with the novelty and ſtrangeneſs of things they do not underſtand, boldly adventure through the lives and blood of men, to make tryal of ſuch preparations, of which they (lighting on them by accident onely) neither underſtand the reaſon, nor the uſe; ſince I ſay theſe things are ſo, you ought not to believe the wiſe men who govern the Affairs of the Kingdom will ever conſent to take away ſo important a part of Phyſick out of the hands of ſo many ingenuous, learned, and inquiſitive men as your Colledge now conſiſts of, or ſo much diſcountenance an honourable Profeſſion, and way of educating Youth in the Nation, and give it to ſuch as theſe; eſpecially ſince the very Philoſophical freedom you own and profeſs, has rais'd you ſo far above the poor and empty name of any Sect or party. If therefore your Committee for the materia medica be ſettled, as before was ſaid, it will more improve Rational Chymiſtry in all its parts, then any deſign theſe men can pretend to; Particularly in the Analyſis of Vegetables, hitherto almoſt wholly untouch'd, which will I doubt not afford more noble as well as more amicable Medicins then Minerals. And in purſuit of that, if you would addreſs your ſelves to his Majeſty and His Honorable Council, and aſſure them you are ready to erect a publick Laboratory, for the uſe of his Majeſties Subjects, where all Chymical Medicines fit to be us'd ſhall be well and faithfully made upon the Faith and Authority of the Colledge, and expreſly appoint, that all Apothecaries whoſe Phyſick you ſhall think fit to buy, ſhall provide all their Chymical things from thence; unleſs any Phyſician be ſatisfied to let him prepare them with his own hand, nor to permit the uſe of any other Chymical Preparations to any of your own number, except he himſelf make and prepare them You have no reaſon to doubt but all wiſe men will think you are as able to perform, as thoſe, who if they could do but one hundreth part of what they ſo impudently promiſe, would be equal in fortune and eſtate to the greateſt Princes of the Nation. And if to all theſe real performances you pleaſe to adde a little of outward ſhew and appearance, and aſſume at convenient times, and on publick occaſions, the decent uſe of thoſe Ornaments of Habit, and other Inſignia, which the wiſdom of our Anceſtors has thought fit, upon grave and deliberate advice of Princes and Ʋniverſities, to beſtow upon your Profeſſion; you will finde it was not done in vain, and that they well conſider'd, with theſe things the wiſe in all Ages have been wont to govern the frail and weak underſtanding of the vulgar. And that among thoſe who are no good Judges of real worth, it is the only way to ſecure it, both from being affronted and contemned.

I hope you will excuſe the much freedom I have us'd with you, the truth is, I have ſo great a zeal to ſee ſomething of this nature effected for publick good, that if your own particular intereſt joyn'd with it, will not prevail, I could deſire it may be thought adviſeable to provide for it by publick Authority: that ſo the burdenſome charge of Phyſick might be remov'd, and that noble Art rendred of more ample conſequence to the world, the profeſſors of it be ſo encouraged, as Gentlemen may think it a worthy courſe of breeding for their Children, that Philoſophy may receive the benefit of its many excellent experiments, that a right underſtanding may be ever preſerv'd between Phyſicians and Apothecaries, that every man in particular may finde greater comfort in the uſe of thoſe numerous Remedies, that Almighty God has provided to ſuccour us in our afflictions: and laſt of all, that as our Nation has had the honour of one of the beſt things that ever was diſcover'd in the Theory of Phyſick, The Bloods Circulation; ſo it may give an example to all the world of the beſt, and ſoundeſt, and moſt rational way of Practice. With her Ladiſhips Service preſented to you, I remain,

Sir, Your aſſured Friend and Servant. T. M. FINIS.