A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries | Page 9

that
Physicians make their own Medicines; the benefit whereof to the
publick, the reasonableness of the thing it self, the necessity in relation
to the Physician, will be manifest by that which follows.
And First, All that hath been said demonstrates this last proportion.
Secondly, The desire of most persons, and the censure of all wise men,
who say we are wanting to our own interest, if we make not use of the
remedy in our own hands, performing our Art in all its members,
whereof making of Medicines is a chief one.
Thirdly, The common practice, and constant usage of all former and
antient Physicians in all other Nations, and in England also (for 'tis
easie to say when there was not one Apothecary in this Kingdom) the
Laws of our Nation, nay even the Apothecaries Charter allow it, the
Language of all Physicians, our College voting it honourable so to do,
nay Apothecaries themselves commending it in such Physicians as buy
their Medicines of them.
Fourthly, The Kings Physicians have formerly made the Kings
Medicines, as 'tis manifest by my Lord Coke, in his 4th. Book of the
Institutes, part 4. pag. 251. where he comments on Rot. Pat. 32 H 6. m.
17. He there first recites the Roll it self, wherein are appointed (the
King being then sick) 3 Physicians and 2 Chirurgeons, to freely
minister and execute Physic about the Kings Person, and there are also
recited in general, Medicines external, and internal. And on this Roll
Coke among other things infers, that the Physicians may use the aid of
those Chirurgeons named in the Warrant, but of no Apothecary, but to
prepare and do all things themselves, &c. And the reason of all this is,
the precious regard had of the health and safety of the King, who is the
head of the Common-wealth. And I am told by one of his present
Majesties Physicians, that the King himself affirmed heretofore we are
unwise in neglecting our duty herein, and lately of these papers, that
'twas the publick interest so to do.
Fifthly, Chirurgeons (as before) will not trust them to make external
Remedies; and the King, and East-India Company commit the making

of their Chests for their Fleets to the Chirurgeons.
Sixthly, Have not Ladies and Charitable Gentlewomen their Closets
well furnished with various Medicines for the Poors use, and for their
own also, when Physicians are called to their houses in the Country?
Distillers of Strong-waters, Makers of Plaisters, Confectioners make
Medicines bought by the Apothecaries, Ale-Houses sell purging Drinks,
and Book-sellers sell Chymical Medicines, and all this without much
regret of the Apothecaries. But if a Physician intermix a Medicine with
theirs, though the Patients life be saved thereby, what noise, and
murmuring, and proclaiming of it the next Market-day to the rest of
their Company? to what purpose any one may judg.
Seventhly, Why should not Physicians, being lawfully authorized
thereunto, practise with their own Medicines, as well as the
Apothecaries with theirs, though against Law, and incurring thereby the
penalty of 5l. per Month, which the College never troubled them for, or
exacted of them?
Eighthly, Physicians will be necessitated to it for their subsistence and
honour, and to preserve their Art from being prostituted to illiterate
persons, the Apothecaries becoming now their Competitors.
Ninthly, By this means Physicians will avoid multitudes of
inconveniencies, proceeding from writing of Bills, and the
Apothecaries Visits.
First The mistakes, and frauds in the Ingredients, especially committed
by the great practising Apothecaries, who may, as appears by the
following story, be suspected to send, instead of what was prescribed,
the remains of his own practice, or else some cast-by Medicines; for
else how could it be when a Medicine was prescribed to stand in
Infusion or steep a whole night, that it should be brought two hours
after the Bill was written, even the very same Evening? Which by
accident the Patient confessed, wanting the expected success.
Secondly By this course Physicians avoid the many opprobrious terms
cast upon them by Apothecaries:
As First, In saying that if he had not omitted or added something, the
Patient might have miscarried; which he may say at pleasure without
any contradiction, though doubtless many have been killed by this
means.
Secondly, By saying the Bill could never have been made without some

alteration of the Apothecary, thereby insinuating the Doctors ignorance
in compounding.
Thirdly, In saying the Doctor is not versed in Medicines, because
forsooth he varieth not at every Visit, and multiplieth not new Bills for
the Apothecaries profit.
Fourthly, In saying they teach Physicians, and help them to, and in their
practice. The first and last are vile and foolish Scandals; as to the
Second, 'tis true indeed, that younger Apothecaries recommend
Physicians to their