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

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