Medical Jurisprudence, Volume 3 (of 3)Paris, John Ayrton
Science
Medical Jurisprudence, Volume 3 (of 3)
Paris, John Ayrton
Medical laws and legislation -- Great Britain
Hereupon, a writ of error in Parliament, was brought to reverse this
judgment; and on behalf of the Plaintiff in error, it was argued, that
the consequences of it would not only ruin him, but all other
apothecaries; as, in case of the affirmance of this judgment, they could
not exercise their profession, without the licence of a physician. That
the constant usage and practice, which had always been with the
apothecary, was conceived to be the best expounder of this charter; and,
that therefore, the selling a few lozenges, or a small electuary, to any
person asking a remedy for a cold, or in other ordinary or common cases,
where the medicines had a known and certain effect, could not be deemed
unlawful; or practising as a physician, when no fee was taken or
demanded for the same. That the physicians by straining an act made so
long ago, endeavoured to monopolize all manner of physic solely to
themselves; and if they should succeed in this attempt, it would be
attended with many mischievous consequences: For, in the first place, it
would be laying a heavy tax on the nobility and gentry, who, in the
slightest cases, and even for their common servants, could not have any
kind of medicine, without consulting and giving a fee, to a member of
the college: It would also be a great oppression upon poor families,
who, not being able to bear the charge of a fee, would be deprived of
all kind of assistance in their necessities: And, it would prove
extremely prejudicial to all sick persons, who, in case of sudden
accidents, or new symptoms, happening in the night-time, generally send
for the apothecary; but who should not dare to apply the least remedy,
without running the hazard of being ruined.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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