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A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries - As well in Relation to Patients, as Physicians: And Of the - only Remedy thereof by Physicians making their own - Medicines. by Christopher Merrett
page 55 of 67 (82%)
that they alone are the prescribers and directors of the Apothecaries
in what they know; and are able to puzzle them in infinite things that
concern their Trade, besides in Chymical preparations, whereof most of
them are totally ignorant; and should Physicians withdraw themselves
from their conversation, few pretenders to Physic would appear more
unskillful 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
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