A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries | Page 2

a Book was printed on the same argument, by an
inquisitive person, now Dr. in Physic, which might have spared me this
labour, but that it was too large for every ones reading, and in some
things short. It was his fate to be called by them Fool, Ass, and Simple
Fellow, and much worse language, bragging that some of their Boys
should answer him. But upon more serious thoughts, the whole
Company have suffered it to find the credit it well deserves, without the
least reply but that of revilings.
In these ensuing papers, I hope to prove, that these abuses complain'd

of by all sorts of persons, arise from this only cause, that Physicians
dispence not themselves such Medicines, they use for the relief of their
Patients, but commit this work to the Apothecaries, or rather their
Servants.
Now the Apothecaries abuses generally relate either to the Medicines,
Patients, or Physicians; which three do comprehend all I shall say on
this subject.
But the Reader is to take notice, that all here charged on the
Apothecaries, is not meant of every single one, but of some, or more of
them, and may in a short time in all probability be verified of them all,
according as their number, cajoling the ignorant, and bold daring in
Physic increase.
But before I descend to particulars, I shall first lay down this
Proposition, their own confession, and in their own Language, viz. That
they may be the veriest Knaves in England. Because they may put in
bad ingredients, and more or less then the composition requires, they
may substitute one thing for another; and all this without being detected,
and consequently not be punished for such misdemeanors; but more
especially in Medicines for private mens uses, wherein they may do
what they please without the least discovery of the Patient, and from
this general confession of theirs, it clearly follows, that whatsoever
deceit, covetous wits can invent, may at least be suspected to be used
by them, and whatsoever is here alledged may find easier belief.
And Secondly, Most men wonder, that this Corporation, being but of
few years standing, and to the setting up of whose Trade so small a
Stock is necessary; should live so high, spend so freely, gain so great
Estates, by their return of so little money yearly, which how 'tis done
every man may conceive to be effected by the following Artifices.
More particularly, the Frauds by them committed relate either to their
falsifying of Medicines, or secondly, to the number of their Bills, and
prescriptions, or thirdly, to the prices of them.
First, They use Medicines quite contrary to the prescription,
Myrtle-leafs shewed the Censors for Sena, a Binder for a Purger.
Mushroms of the Oak, &c. rub'd over with Chalk for Agaric, which Mr.
Evelyn in his late publisht Book of Forest Trees, pag. 27. observes, to
the great scandal of Physic as he adds; Hemlock-Dropwort Roots for
Pæony Roots, Poysons for wholesome remedies; Privet by some, by

others Dog-berries, for those of Spina Cervina, no Purgers for a strong
one. Sheeps Lungs for Fox Lungs, the Bone of an Oxe Heart for that of
a Stags Heart, Damsons for Damasc Prunes, Syrup of Limons, for that
of Citrons, Bryony Roots for Mechoacan, &c.
Secondly, They falsify the grand Compositions of the London
Dispensatory. It being a common trade with them to buy unsound, and
decayed Simples of some Druggists, and to return them back so much
of the composition as will pay for the Simples. Secondly, whereas
Apothecaries are bound to shew publickly to the Censors of the College,
and the Master and Wardens of their Company, Mithridate,
Diascordium, Alkermes, &c. Yet for all this some of them privately
make a great deal more of the Composition then is shewed, of unsound
Drugs, and some without any view at all; others put in the Scrapings
that ought to be thrown away; and by these Arts they under-sell, and
ruine one another, selling the Composition at a lower rate then good
Ingredients cost them; and with these complaints they daily mutiny
amongst themselves.
Thirdly, 'Tis very common for them to load Medicines with Honey, and
other cheaper ingredients, and to leave out in whole or in part, those of
greater value; viz. Saffron in Ruffus Pills, and in Oxycroceum Plaster,
which latter, they colour of a saffron colour with Turmeric, Sanders &c.
Ambergrise in Alkermes, Diascordium was found by the Censors in
their search made only of Honey, and Bole-Armeniac. Which false
composition was taken away by the then Master of the Company.
Such Chymists which sell preparations honestly made complain, that
few Apothecaries will go to the prices of them. Whence it comes to
pass, that most of the preparations found in the Shops