A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries | Page 8

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 Tables 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, and the Contribution of the Honorary Fellows thereunto, they tell them that we deceived them in their admission, 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 the 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 proportion.
Secondly, The desire of most persons, and the censure of all wise men, who say we are wanting to our own