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.
Doubtless it will seem strange to most men, that after 30 years not unsuccessful practice in this great City, I should now at last forbear sending my Bills to the Apothecaries, knowing that hereby a whole Company of men interested in the World (who by their number, noise, and tricks, may be able to decry any Physician) will become my implacable adversaries, and by their private whispers of untrue tales, will endeavour to their utmost, either to keep me from any new, or shuffle me out of my fixed imployment. But not fearing the utmost their malice can invent, or proclaim; I shall publickly assert what I privately practice, preferring the publick good, and the honour of my profession before my own private profit. And although I have had some experience what their groundless anger can do, when they some years since proclaimed me in their publick Hall their Enemy, for acting the College Interest, and of late for saving my Patients lives and purses, by dispencing gratis my Medicines. Yet I hope no indifferent person, when he knows that I have thus long slighted their weak endeavours, will believe I can now at length have so poor an end as revenge; especially when they shall consider on the one hand, the universal and daily complaints of both Patient and Physician, the great cause they have to do so, and the little hope of a remedy, and on the other, besides that general obligation all men have of doing their Country-men good, and the particular necessity I have of justifying my actions, by leaving the World their judg upon the account I shall here deliver of them. And lastly, that which will leave my Enemies not any objection, I take upon me not only a great trouble, but charge, without any other design then doing mankind good, by endeavouring to restore my profession to its ancient and deserved honours. And had I none of these inducements, I am sure the vulgar excuse of friends importunities may be satisfactory to all persons for my publishing what I here do, when I must acknowledge that many of my Collegues and other Practisers in several parts, upon reading these papers furnished me not only with some bad practices of their own experience, but thereupon enjoyed the publishing of them. So that in these papers I do but speak the common language of all Physicians, and of very many Patients. Neither are all their frauds and abuses here inserted, the rest (perhaps more in number) being reserved to another opportunity. I shall only add by way of preface; that the last year a Book was printed on the same argument, by an inquisitive person, now Dr. in Physic, which might have spared me this labour, but that it was too large for every ones reading, and in some things short. It was his fate to be called by them Fool, Ass, and Simple Fellow, and much worse language, bragging that some of their Boys should answer him. But upon more serious thoughts, the whole Company have suffered it to find the credit it well deserves, without the least reply but that of revilings.
In these ensuing papers, I hope to prove, that these abuses complain'd of by all sorts of persons, arise from this only cause, that Physicians dispence not themselves such Medicines, they use for the relief of their Patients, but commit this work to the Apothecaries, or rather their Servants.
Now the Apothecaries abuses generally relate either to the Medicines, Patients, or Physicians; which three do comprehend all I shall say on this subject.
But the Reader is to take notice, that all here charged on the Apothecaries, is not meant of every single one, but of some, or more of them, and may in a short time in all probability be verified of them all, according as their number, cajoling the ignorant, and bold daring in Physic increase.
But before I descend to particulars, I shall first lay down this Proposition, their own confession, and in their own Language, viz. That they may be the veriest Knaves in England. Because they may put in bad ingredients, and more or less then the composition requires, they may substitute one thing for another; and all this without being detected, and consequently not be punished for such misdemeanors; but more especially in Medicines for private mens uses, wherein they may do what they please without the least discovery of the Patient, and from this general confession of theirs, it clearly follows, that whatsoever deceit, covetous wits can invent, may at least be suspected to be used by them, and whatsoever is here alledged may find easier belief.
And Secondly, Most men wonder, that this Corporation, being but of few years standing, and to the setting up of whose Trade so small a Stock is necessary; should live so high, spend so freely, gain so great Estates, by their return of so little money yearly, which how 'tis done every man may conceive to be effected by the following Artifices.
More particularly, the Frauds by them committed relate either to their falsifying of Medicines, or secondly, to the number of their Bills, and prescriptions, or thirdly, to the prices of them.