be advanced to its just dignity, now much diminished, dishonoured, and
near to be lost by the intrusion of ignorant persons.

Greater respect will be given to such Physicians, as being the
immediate instruments of life and health, who will derive unto
themselves that which is now given to the Apothecaries, which proceeds
chiefly from fear lest they should do the Patient hurt; and so their
honour will be doubled, which every Physician looks principally at;
but the Apothecary being not so far concerned, looks chiefly at his
own profit, and regards not the Patients charge. For the greater the
Patients charge, the greater must needs be the Apothecaries gain;
whereas on the contrary, 'tis the Physicians Interest to cure the
Patient with the greatest ease.

He may proceed on safely and securely in his well experienced
Medicines, having before him not only what he hath prescribed for the
same Patient, but for all others in the like Case, and thereby keep in
memory what he would have forgot, if his Bill had remained on the
Apothecaries File; viz. the Medicines and their success. By means
whereof Physicians do not advance their knowledg so far as they might;
for how is it possible they should remember the particulars of their
Bills writ some days before? and therefore know not how to proceed so
well. But the Apothecaries having before them the whole series of
Medicines, brag they can do more then the Physicians, and by this
means insinuate the same opinion into people.

The Physician will be consulted in the beginning of Diseases, to the
safety and little expence of the Patient, who will not go first to the
Apothecary, who practiseth on him till the Case is desperate, and then
calls in a Physician when 'tis too late; and if he dyes, the Physician