Page:Merret - A short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries.pdf/13

 the London Dispensatory. It being a common trade with them to buy unsound, and decayed Simples of some Druggists, and to return them back so much of the composition as will pay for the Simples. Secondly, whereas Apothecaries are bound to shew publickly to the Censors of the College, and the Master and Wardens of their Company, Mithridate, Diascordium, Alkermes, &c. Yet for all this some of them privately make a great deal more of the Composition then is shewed, of unsound Drugs, and some without any view at all; others put in the Scrapings that ought to be thrown away; and by these Arts they under-sell, and ruine one another, selling the Composition at a lower rate then good Ingredients cost them; and with these complaints they daily mutiny amongst themselves.

Thirdly, 'Tis very common for them to load Medicines with Honey, and other cheaper ingredients, and to leave out in whole or in part, those of greater value; viz. Saffron in Ruffus Pills, and in Oxycroceum Plaster, which latter, they colour of a Saffron colour with Turmeric, Sanders, &c. Ambergrise in Alkermes, Diascordium was found by the Censors in their search made only of Honey, and Bole-Armeniac. Which false composition was taken away by the then Master of the Company.

Such Chymists which sell preparations honestly made complain, that few Apothecaries will go to the prices of them. Whence it comes to pass, that most of the preparations found in the Shops are sophisticated, to the great abuse of City and Country. These abuses daily increase since the Censors, discouraged by the multitude of Empirics swarming in every Corner, have omitted their wonted searches, being to their loss of Rh