Page:Merret - A short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries.pdf/34

 As First, In saying that if he had not omitted or added something, the Patient might have miscarried; which he may say at pleasure without any contradiction, though doubtless many have been killed by this means.

Secondly, By saying the Bill could never have been made without some alteration of the Apothecary thereby insinuating the Doctors ignorance in compounding.

Thirdly, In saying the Doctor is not versed in Medicines, because forsooth he varieth not at every Visit, and multiplieth not new Bills for the Apothecaries profit.

Fourthly, In saying they teach Physicians, and help them to, and in their practice. The first and last are vile and foolish Scandals; as to the Second, 'tis true indeed, that younger Apothecaries recommend Physicians to their acquaintance; but 'tis no longer then they have learned enough (as they think) to set up for themselves.

Fifthly, In saying, they knew before-hand what such a Doctor would prescribe, and hence it is they have nick-named some Physicians of no mean practice, by the Medicines they frequently use, which names in respect to the persons, I shall conceal; and of such Physicians, they brag they can prescribe as well as they. But if a Physician advise things unknown to them, or out of the common tract, then they say the Doctor intends to puzzle them.

Sixthly, He will avoid the censure of his Bills, which every pitiful fellow, nay their very Boys will absolve or condemn at pleasure, and that openly too, nay Rh