A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries Part 3

And though as matters now stand, Physicians have not the honour to be counted superiour to Apothecaries in their Art, yet every one knows that they alone are the prescribers and directors of the Apothecaries in what they know; and are able to puzzle them in infinite things that concern their Trade, besides in Chymical preparations, whereof most of them are totally ignorant; and should Physicians withdraw themselves from their conversation, few pretenders to Physic would appear more unskillful then they, neither knowing how to deal with a new Simple, nor a new disease. And for all their pretences of skill in Drugs, 'tis most certain that the State makes Physicians not Apothecaries, Judges of them; and the Statute of Henry the VIII. appoints the College Censors upon Oath, not the Apothecaries to judg, and condemn false and sophisticated Medicines.

A second objection wherewith they flatter themselves, is, that the great expence of time in preparing Medicines will keep Physicians from this course. I answer, that the Physician needs not spend much more then half an hour in a day, one with another, on this work, and may faster dispense them then the Apothecaries to Hospitals, who in an afternoon can provide for 100, nay sometimes 200 sick men, and carry them to the Hospital, and dispose them to each single person, which takes up much time, which the Physicians Servants need not be put to.

A third objection is, that this course, which before 'twas put in practice they derided, now used is railed at, will undo them. I answer that if needs, one or the other must be ruined, 'tis more reasonable that the Apothecary should suffer then the Physician, because the one acts but his duty, and for the publick good, but the other are transgressors of the Law, and act above the Sphere of their skill, and do many prejudices to the precious lives, and healths of men; and the rather, because 'tis in their own power to prevent this mischief, by stinting the number of their Servants (as 'tis in foreign parts, and in England also, in very many if not most other Trades. Nay our State allows but a set number of Printers) for they acknowledg themselves, that the exceeding increase of their number must necessarily in a short time bring them all to shifting and beggery, and a greater want of skill then what they now pretend to. But to answer this Objection more fully, I affirm Apothecaries have made and do make use of several other ways of subsistence; besides their bare trades (none of which Physicians can use) viz. some of them in this City as well as in the Country, sell Grocery-wares, and by both together, gain Estates.

Secondly, They barter in Drugs and other Commodities, selling them amongst themselves, and to other Tradesmen. Furthermore, they are now building a Laboratory to make all sorts of Chymical Medicines, intending to supply the whole Nation with them, which must necessarily undo all the Chymists in London; and whether in time they will not distil Strong-waters, &c. (an easie thing for them to undertake) and by this means to ruine the Corporation of Distillers of Strong-waters, I leave to the said Company to conceive as they please. However, this I have heard several of them say, that they resolve to buy all sorts of Drugs, and make a Magazine of them, as well as of the greater Compositions, at their own Hall; and to sell them to the Members of their Company, whereby the Trade of the Druggist, must be much lessened, if not totally over-thrown. So little regard have they of any other employment but of their own, yet all these things they may do without any offence against the Laws of the Land. Why then should they, who have so many ways of subsistence, envy, and usurp unlawfully over the single and lawful way granted Physicians for their livelihood? Or why would they repine, and revile them for advancing their Art, the publick health and profit, and for maintaining their profession by their Pens, and actings against themselves, who are the first aggressors in this division? Which I profess to be the sole end of these present papers, and heartily wish they may thrive and prosper as long as they conform themselves to the Laws of Honesty, Reason, and of the Land. Besides, why may not the Plaisterer more reasonably pretend the same to the Painter, and many other Trades against one another, as the Brick-layer to the Stone-Cutter, &c. that they understand the Trade, and that truly too, and that they cannot subsist without this incroachment? And why should not Chirurgeons keep open Apothecaries Shops? but that the same Law limits those Tradesmen, as well as prohibits the Apothecary from the practice of Physic. And surely the Law and State have no consideration of those persons subsistence, who conform not to them; and why should we have of those, subordinate to us, who against all good Conscience take away from us all that is our due, and continually traduce and slander us very untruly and designingly?

The last objection (and a strange one) is, that in this private way of giving Medicines, Physicians may poyson their Patients. But this is easily retorted upon the Apothecaries, who may themselves or their Servants do the like, as 'tis known in the poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury; besides, since it cannot be otherwise, but that the Patient must trust somebody, 'tis better to trust one then many; and if one, better him whose education will teach him better Morality, (and who hath given his Faith (equivalent to an Oath) twice to the Body of the College; viz. once at his admission as Candidate, and a second time at his admission as Fellow; whereby he promiseth in these words, That he shall give nothing to cause miscarriage, or to destroy, or hinder Conception, nor Poysons (for of such, good Medicines may be made) to an evil purpose, nay that he shall not even teach them where there is any suspicion of ill using of them. Which promise is nothing else but the Oath proposed by Hippoc. to Physicians, in the entrance to his Books) then to trust such as want these qualifications; and this seems to be the reason why our Common Law makes it Felony, for any person to have any one dy under his hand, unless he were a lawful Physician.

More n.o.ble and generous was the opinion of Alexander the Great, concerning his Physician, who confidently drank off that Medicine which cured him, though he was before informed by some friend that 'twas poysoned. Neither can History it self to my knowledg produce any example, that ever any such foolish Villany was acted; Though doubtless many lives might have been saved if the Apothecaries would have complyed with the College, in their proposed Orders for selling Rats-bane.

In the next place I shall recite some few of their devices against those Physicians in particular that make their own Medicines, as to tell the Patient that is averse to Chymical Medicines, that the Doctor is Chymical, and that because forsooth he makes his own Medicines; but to those that affect Chymical, that the Doctor is but a Galenist, and useth only dull and ineffectual remedies, as best suits to the sick mans Palat. A second is, that if this Physician be called in to a Patient, the Apothecary will pretend present danger, and in his absence call in another, or pretend he is abroad when he is not, or else that the Case requires the counsel of two Physicians; and what other devices they use, I have not well learned.

Now briefly follow some small Scandals they cast upon the said Physicians, as first that they do it for want of practice; the falsity whereof is known by those few that do act this way already, and shortly 'twill be more apparent, when many more of good practice, singular parts and honesty will do the like, and certainly nothing but lazyness, ignorance, or want of will to do the utmost good they are able for the sick, can hinder them from so doing, except age, infirmity of body, or want of convenience. But suppose 'tis so as they alledg, doubtless every man may and ought to use all lawful means for his own subsistence; and do not our adversaries say they are inforced to it, affirming that unless they give Medicines of themselves, their acquaintance will go to another Apothecary who will do it, though one of their Company told me, they had power by their Charter to restrain practice? Whence (if true) it clearly follows that the whole Company allows it.

But those Physicians, that for the reasons above, cannot nor will not take this course, are to be admonished, to do here as the Physicians did in France, for the good of people, viz. to tell their Patients the prices of Medicines, and to write their Bills in English, that thereby the Patients may not pay too unreasonable for them.

I now conclude, having performed this ungrateful task, with as much brevity, mildness of Spirit, and language, as the business would permit (and what the prudent Statutes of our College require of each of their members, that we shall by all honest and lawful ways and means prosecute all illiterate Mountebanks and Impostors, &c. and is no more then the Laws and Charters granted to us allow, and what we twice faithfully promise (as much an Oath as we can give) viz. at our admission as Candidate and as Fellow) being obliged to another work of greater difficulty, and concern, long since promised, having been too long diverted with fitting my self for my intended practice, and several other unavoidable Occasions.

Postscript.

Reader, There intervening so small a s.p.a.ce from the publication of the first Edition of these Papers to this second; I thought to have added nothing to it, but to have put it out only more correct, as the t.i.tle intimates; but since some Sheets were printed off, I have had the opportunity to be informed of some exceptions taken to them, which being but few, I shall give the Objectors full satisfaction in. Though one answer might serve for all; viz. that an Apothecary in the presence of two Physicians, said, that he had told me of all these Cheats, and indeed they are so common, that whosoever shall be conversant with them, may observe most of these to be a great part of their discourse. The First exception against Myrtle-leafs, that they were not shewed the Censors for Sena, a Binder for a Purger; the time I have forgot; the Censors then were, Sir George Ent, Dr. G.o.ddard, Dr.

King, and my Self; the places, Tut-hill-street, and some Shops in King-street; Mr. Sh.e.l.lberry being then Master of the Company.

Secondly, As for Mushrooms rubbed over with Chalk for Agaric; this was found by the Censors in the Old-Baily, at the Shop of one now dead, and therefore I shall say no further of it, it being taken notice of by Mr. Evelyn, as is intimated before. p.8. A Third is Diascordium made of Honey and Bole-Armeniac, this was discovered in a Shop at the end of Drury-lane near Holborn, concluded to be so by Sir George Ent, My Self, and Mr. Richardson then Master of the Company, and the rest of the Censors and Wardens, easily to be remembred, and was by them taken away to their Hall; a pound whereof I had, and by dissolution found it to be no otherwise; what the Apothecaries did with the large Pot of the remainder I know not. Besides these, I have heard no exception to the whole concerning frauds.

Now since the Cheaters with the Cheatees, most insist on the objection of Poyson; I add to what hath been formerly said; that Poysons are not necessarily to be given in Medicines alone, but may be given in Broaths, Beer, or any other thing taken into the Body, and that without the consultation or knowledg of any Physician, and surely if any one had a mind to Poyson his Relations (an Action abominable to the English Nation) he would rather Act privately himself, having many opportunities offered to him, rather then by communicating it to others, make himself obnoxious to their discovery. But if he should communicate to others, 'tis more probable he would communicate it to meaner, and more Mercenary persons, as Apothecaries and Nurses, at a smaller rate and with more security, then reveal such secrets to Physicians, Men of Honour, and Honesty. Furthermore, if any mans life be suspected to be taken away with Poyson, and by opening the body it should appear so (and without which it cannot well appear) the Physician is doubtless as lyable to the Law as any other person whatsoever. So that the Patient hath as much moral security from this mischief, as possibly can be had, or wished in humane affairs. Nay suppose the Physician might be so corrupted (as to take away his Patients life) he might effect it without the least suspition; either by neglecting, or omitting what was necessary, or by giving him unproper Medicines, for which he could be accused of ignorance or errour only; besides, if he had a mind to poyson, he as well as others, a.s.sistants of Visitors, might do it securely enough, by conveying into a singular Cordial, or any Medicine made by the Shops, and often taken by the Patient before with good success, a mortal dose without any knowledg or surmise of any such horrid practice. Add hereunto what an able Chirurgeon suggested, that Apothecaries taking upon them the wrapping up, and Embalming of Bodies (whereby they gain more money then by several years practice upon them; for their embalming amounts to very great sums) may upon better reason be suspected of poysoning then any other persons whatsoever conversant among the sick, since both a particular interest and convenience of concealing may induce them to it. Lastly, did this Objection carry any weight in it, then neither Physicians, Chirurgeons, Apothecaries, Nurses, nor Friends, might administer to the sick; because all these, as well as Physicians, may clandestinely poyson their Relations. And therefore that an Objection should be raised by such persons that have more opportunities and advantage (in a thing never proved to be done, because 'tis possible only) to hinder so manifest and publick a profit as hath been proved; appears to be very weak and absurd.

And having done with the Objections made to others, and to my self also by some of the Company, with whom I have conversed, who huff'd exceedingly at my first discourse with them, but departed (seemingly at least) well satisfied, I am sure fully and without reply answered, and with addition of many other Cheats besides, which I shall not here mention for the reasons above specified: I shall here transcribe one gratulatory Letter amongst many sent me by a Divine well known in Physic, being very comprehensive of most I have said, to the end the Universities and all learned men may see what is like to become of one of the three of their n.o.ble professions: The words of the Letter are these.

"Your design all ingenious persons approve highly, to whom I have communicated it. 'Tis frequent with a Master Apothecary that hath served but 2, or 3 years, nay some scarce one, to take Apprentices for as little, or less time, with a little more money then ordinarily; and presently they a.s.sume the t.i.tle of Doctors, though they understand no more then only to write to a whole-sale Apothecary in your City. And truly their couzenages here in the Country do exceed those in the City. For I have known 2s. 6d.

taken for a little Plaster of Galbanum, and it is usual to make one pectoral Syrup serve for all; as having occasion to enquire for Syrup of Jujubs, one of them ingenuously confessed (not knowing what Jujubs were) that he used one pectoral Syrup for all, a little varying the colour sometimes, and this a peculiar receipt of his own, something differing from any in the Dispensatory."

As for their opposition also in the Country, take this one Example. An eminent Physician of Gloucester by reason of the Apothecaries Frauds, &c. betook himself to make his own Medicines, taking for his Servant one that was not a Freeman of the said City. Who in his Masters absence, and contrary to his command, sold to an Apothecary a Medicine not to be had, or at least pretended not to be had in the Town, for a most urgent and necessary use; whereupon the Apothecaries conspiring together, exhibited a complaint to the Mayor and Court of Aldermen, requiring of them, that the said Physician (who was a Freeman, and had lately born the Office of Mayor) might be dis-franchised. Which being not granted them, they set the whole City into such disorder, that they refused to attend the Mayor on a Solemn day (as their Custom is, and are bound to do) with their Flags from their Town-Hall to the Church, which the prudence of the Magistrates for the present qualified. This relation I had from the then Mayor my Kinsman, in the presence of a London Apothecary.

Next as to the Lyes and Scandals of my self, I shall take notice only of those that concern practice (the rest being but generally false and non-sensical revilings.) One is, that they most untruly ent.i.tle me to have been Physician to the Lady Anderson, and many others which I never saw or heard of; and that I soon dispatched them. Another wherewith they make great noise, is, of one Mr. Staples in Covent-Garden, whom they say also I dispatched in few days. The true relation whereof was this. An able Physician of the College had him in hand for the Jaundice, about two Months before I was called, whereupon we consulted and writ a note to the Apothecary; a week after the consultation I was sent for, and desired to take care of him alone; he was then, besides the Jaundice, troubled with continual Torments in his Bowels, which were as hard as a Board (as they say) his Stomach gone, his nights restless, a vehement Cough joyned with a Hectick Fever, having long before had an ill Habit of Body. In this Case I found him, and in a Months time or thereabouts, I cured his Jaundice, relieved his Torments, removed the hardness of his Bowels, mitigated his Cough, but the Hectick Fever continuing he declined; at length another Physician was called in, who can witness the truth of what was done, and upon the whole we had good reason to think his Liver to be Apostemated. After which consultation he had no more of me, telling me he would rely on Kitchin Physic, and after that I never saw him. Now this being the only relation I have heard in this kind, I have been the larger to recite it, that thereby the Reader may take an estimate of their dealing with me in the like reports. The like or worse, some of them have said of other Physicians, which perhaps hereafter shall be more fully related with all the Circ.u.mstances.

As for their malicious anger, and disadvantageous to themselves, take this one example; I having prescribed a Plaster for the Head, an Apothecary would not make it, because prescribed by me; and I have been informed that many of them agreed they would make nothing for such Physicians as made their own Medicines; a poor and pitiful revenge, to their own loss and discredit.

Another Scandal is, the fewness of my Medicines. 'Tis true my Closet is not open to every bodies Eye, nor have I so many and large Pots and Gla.s.ses, or fill'd with as good as nothing, or the same Medicine, in several with different t.i.tles, neither are any of mine guilded to make a shew with; yet I dare offer to view with the best of their Shops, for number of good and really useful Medicines fit to answer presently any Physicians intentions, for internal remedies. And this will be attested by some of my learned Collegues, who have seen and perused them. Whereas the Shops contain only some general Medicines, whereof few single Physicians make use of one quarter in their practice, and upon most particular cases are compell'd to prescribe what is not readily dispensed in the Shops. Others insinuate my seldom change of Medicines. To which I answer, that where all circ.u.mstances are the same, and a good success follows, I neither do, nor will much vary, the easiest thing in the World to be done, both to colour and tast.

For such changes (necessary to be used in Shop-practice) without manifest reason, clog a Patients Purse and Stomach, may not suit with the Patients Disease nor Const.i.tution. And doubtless every Physician writes at first what he conceives most fit, and proper in the Case proposed; and if this agrees fully to his expectation, runs some hazard in the alteration, which he is necessitated to do in the Shop-way, for many reasons before-mentioned. Besides, who scruples to take the Medicinal Waters of Epsom, Barnet, and Tunbridge, many weeks together? or who refuseth a constant unalter'd Diet-Drink for some Months, or Years together? And do not Apothecaries in all Diseases of the Lungs, fly to their pectoral decoction for all persons, and for the same person at all times, unless perhaps with the addition of a little China to it?

Some Patients of the middle rank have by these and such like Artifices been drawn from me, but have soon returned, being undeceived by the fulsomness, charge, and the non-success of the Shops.

Now these things I have here published to this end alone, that both Physician and Patient may take notice of them; the former to neglect and slight such poor Calumnies, and the other to avoid the inconveniencies thence arising.

The care I had not to injure any particular person, by naming him in my first Edition, or this (although I had so many witnesses of credit, as appears by the Postscript, to justifie any thing they can object against) makes me hope they will leave off their personal animosities, or redress their Crimes, their Vanity of threatning me with 20000 l.

Actions, and affrighting my publishing this, together with my further proceedings, by their intended a.s.saults and batteries; which make them appear so ridiculous, that I smile at the first, and pardon the last; wishing them to consider seriously how the expectation some have of what they can say for themselves, together with the necessity that obliges them to it (if possible) were enough one would think, besides their many large brags of a speedy and full answer (which they have a long time buzzed about the Town as a present remedy in this exigence) this I say were enough to make any man conclude them guilty, but 'tis hoped this Edition will either work in them an amendment, or bury their confident presumptions, leaving no man a belief of their innocency. If their promised answer be any thing else but Libelling, or a Ballad without rhime or reason, stuft with falsities and revilings, such as was only given to Dr. c.o.xe's Book; I shall return it a speedy and full answer, and with an addition of far greater Frauds and Abuses, if they therein desire it.

Feb. 20 Hatton-Garden.