Upon consideration taken of this petition hereunto annexed, presented unto the President and College of Physicians by the Midwives, We, the College of Physicians, conceiving the said complaint to be grounded upon just grievance, and to conduce to a general good, in the timely prevention of so growing an inconvenience, have particularly informed ourselves concerning the said business, and do certify that the like project was formerly attempted by another, which is now intended by the doctour, and therefore was referred by _K. James_, of blessed memory, to the Lords of the Council, and by their Lordships to the College of Physicians, to certify their opinion thereof; who upon mature deliberation made report to their Lordships of the unfitness of the said proposition, there being no such custom ever used either here or in any other kingdom, Wherefore the same was rejected and died. And whereas we understand that the said Doctour doth ground his complaint upon the insufficiency of Midwives, whom he would undertake to teach, though licensed by your Lordship’s officers, whom we do believe to be as careful in admitting of Midwives as they are in other kingdoms; only we are informed that divers do practise without licence, and some are deputies to others, through whom we probably conceive some abuses to grow, because their abilities and honesty of lives and conversation are not testified upon oath as others are who are licenced. But for adding sufficiently to them by the Doctour’s instruction, he is not otherwise able to instruct them than any other the meanest Fellow of our College, unless he understand it by the use of iron instruments, which Physicians and Chirurgeons may practice if they please; and some do and have done with as good success and dexterity as himself, and therefore there is no necessity of a sole dependance upon him. And it being true that is reported by the Midwives, the Doctour doth often refuse to come to the poor, they being not able to pay him according to his demands; and for the rich he denies them his help until he hath first bargained for great rewards; which besides that they are in themselves dishonest, covetous, and unconscionable courses, they are also contrary to the laws and statutes of our College, to which by oath he is bound. We therefore for this and other reasons we can alledge, conceive his suit to be unreasonable and inconvenient. And so do humbly leave the same to your Lordships’ grave judgments, unto whom his Majesty referred the consideration thereof. (Goodall’s Proceedings of the College against Empiricks, p. 465.) 59 _Geo._ 3. _c._ 41. An Act to establish Regulations for preventing Contagious Diseases in _Ireland_. 14th _June_ 1819.