A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries: As well in Relation to Patients, as Physicians: And Of the; only Remedy thereof by Physicians making their own; Medicines.Merret, Christopher
Philosophy
A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries: As well in Relation to Patients, as Physicians: And Of the; only Remedy thereof by Physicians making their own; Medicines.
Merret, Christopher
Pharmacists; Pharmacy -- England
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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