Page:Merret - A short view of the frauds and abuses committed by apothecaries.pdf/68

 from their convention, few pretenders to Physic would appear more unskilful 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 Rh