To conclude this second Complaint. By reason of the dear Bills of the
Apothecaries, many are deterred from going to the Physician, and run
to common Mountebanks, and I think this to be the reason (as some
disabused persons have confessed to me) why they have so much cryed up
the abilities of Apothecaries for practice, because they would save
their credit in taking Physic of them. St. Augustine candidly in his
Book of Confessions declares, that through covetousness he repeated a
course of Physic, without consulting the Physician (who had before
cured him of the same disease) to his greater charge, danger of his
life, and offence against God.

Having done with the Apothecaries abuses relating chiefly to the
Patients Health and Purse, and such as are willfully committed (though
all of them reflect on the Physician) I shall now touch on a few
neglects, and mistakes proving often very mischievous.

First, They frequently mistake the Physicians directions, which of
what dangerous consequence it is, every one can tell.

Secondly, They carry a Medicine appointed for one sick person to
another.

Thirdly, They often neglect the sending of Medicines in due time,
especially such as have no Servants, or but raw ones, when the Master
is out of Town, or upon long visits.

Having now done with the Apothecaries as they relate principally to
the sick, I shall in the next place speak of them, as they relate to
Physicians, and that either to the profession in general, or to the