A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries by Christopher Merrett
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Christopher Merrett >> A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries
[Transcriber's Note:
+ Hyphens splitting words across lines have been removed.
+ Original spellings have generally been retained, but
the Errata from the Second Edition (at the end), and
a mistake in the Errata (!) have been corrected
silently. The original text can be found in the HTML
version.
+ The Latin epigraph translates as: "They all represent
themselves as Doctors--The Uneducated, The Priest,
The Nurse, and The Barber, The _Apothecary_, The Old Woman."
]
Imprimatur,
Novemb. 13.
1669.
SAM. PARKER.
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 Dr. in Physic, Fellow of the College of
Physicians, and of the Royal Society.
----Fingunt se Medicos omnes, Idiota, Sacerdos, Nutrix, &
Tonsor, _Pharmacopaeus_, Anus.
The Second Edition more correct.
LONDON,
Printed for James Allestry, Printer to the Royal Society, at the Rose
and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1670
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.
Doubtless it will seem strange to most men, that after 30 years not
unsuccessful practice in this great City, I should now at last forbear
sending my Bills to the Apothecaries, knowing that hereby a whole
Company of men interested in the World (who by their number, noise,
and tricks, may be able to decry any Physician) will become my
implacable adversaries, and by their private whispers of untrue tales,
will endeavour to their utmost, either to keep me from any new, or
shuffle me out of my fixed imployment. But not fearing the utmost
their malice can invent, or proclaim; I shall publickly assert what I
privately practice, preferring the publick good, and the honour of my
profession before my own private profit. And although I have had some
experience what their groundless anger can do, when they some years
since proclaimed me in their publick Hall their Enemy, for acting the
College Interest, and of late for saving my Patients lives and purses,
by dispencing gratis my Medicines. Yet I hope no indifferent person,
when he knows that I have thus long slighted their weak endeavours,
will believe I can now at length have so poor an end as revenge;
especially when they shall consider on the one hand, the universal and
daily complaints of both Patient and Physician, the great cause they
have to do so, and the little hope of a remedy, and on the other,
besides that general obligation all men have of doing their
Country-men good, and the particular necessity I have of justifying my
actions, by leaving the World their judg upon the account I shall here
deliver of them. And lastly, that which will leave my Enemies not any
objection, I take upon me not only a great trouble, but charge,
without any other design then doing mankind good, by endeavouring to
restore my profession to its ancient and deserved honours. And had I
none of these inducements, I am sure the vulgar excuse of friends
importunities may be satisfactory to all persons for my publishing
what I here do, when I must acknowledge that many of my Collegues and
other Practisers in several parts, upon reading these papers furnished
me not only with some bad practices of their own experience, but
thereupon enjoyed the publishing of them. So that in these papers I do
but speak the common language of all Physicians, and of very many
Patients. Neither are all their frauds and abuses here inserted, the
rest (perhaps more in number) being reserved to another opportunity. I
shall only add by way of preface; that the last year a Book was
printed on the same argument, by an inquisitive person, now Dr. in
Physic, which might have spared me this labour, but that it was too
large for every ones reading, and in some things short. It was his
fate to be called by them Fool, Ass, and Simple Fellow, and much worse
language, bragging that some of their Boys should answer him. But upon
more serious thoughts, the whole Company have suffered it to find the
credit it well deserves, without the least reply but that of
revilings.
In these ensuing papers, I hope to prove, that these abuses complain'd
of by all sorts of persons, arise from this only cause, that
Physicians dispence not themselves such Medicines, they use for the
relief of their Patients, but commit this work to the Apothecaries, or
rather their Servants.
Now the Apothecaries abuses generally relate either to the Medicines,
Patients, or Physicians; which three do comprehend all I shall say on
this subject.
But the Reader is to take notice, that all here charged on the
Apothecaries, is not meant of every single one, but of some, or more
of them, and may in a short time in all probability be verified of
them all, according as their number, cajoling the ignorant, and bold
daring in Physic increase.
But before I descend to particulars, I shall first lay down this
Proposition, their own confession, and in their own Language, viz.
That they may be the veriest Knaves in England. Because they may put
in bad ingredients, and more or less then the composition requires,
they may substitute one thing for another; and all this without being
detected, and consequently not be punished for such misdemeanors; but
more especially in Medicines for private mens uses, wherein they may
do what they please without the least discovery of the Patient, and
from this general confession of theirs, it clearly follows, that
whatsoever deceit, covetous wits can invent, may at least be suspected
to be used by them, and whatsoever is here alledged may find easier
belief.
And Secondly, Most men wonder, that this Corporation, being but of few
years standing, and to the setting up of whose Trade so small a Stock
is necessary; should live so high, spend so freely, gain so great
Estates, by their return of so little money yearly, which how 'tis
done every man may conceive to be effected by the following Artifices.
More particularly, the Frauds by them committed relate either to their
falsifying of Medicines, or secondly, to the number of their Bills,
and prescriptions, or thirdly, to the prices of them.
First, They use Medicines quite contrary to the prescription,
Myrtle-leafs shewed the Censors for Sena, a Binder for a Purger.
Mushroms of the Oak, &c. rub'd over with Chalk for Agaric, which Mr.
Evelyn in his late publisht Book of Forest Trees, pag. 27. observes,
to the great scandal of Physic as he adds; Hemlock-Dropwort Roots for
Paeony Roots, Poysons for wholesome remedies; Privet by some, by others
Dog-berries, for those of Spina Cervina, no Purgers for a strong one.
Sheeps Lungs for Fox Lungs, the Bone of an Oxe Heart for that of a
Stags Heart, Damsons for Damasc Prunes, Syrup of Limons, for that of
Citrons, Bryony Roots for Mechoacan, &c.
Secondly, They falsify the grand Compositions of the London
Dispensatory. It being a common trade with them to buy unsound, and
decayed Simples of some Druggists, and to return them back so much of
the composition as will pay for the Simples. Secondly, whereas
Apothecaries are bound to shew publickly to the Censors of the
College, and the Master and Wardens of their Company, Mithridate,
Diascordium, Alkermes, &c. Yet for all this some of them privately
make a great deal more of the Composition then is shewed, of unsound
Drugs, and some without any view at all; others put in the Scrapings
that ought to be thrown away; and by these Arts they under-sell, and
ruine one another, selling the Composition at a lower rate then good
Ingredients cost them; and with these complaints they daily mutiny
amongst themselves.
Thirdly, 'Tis very common for them to load Medicines with Honey, and
other cheaper ingredients, and to leave out in whole or in part, those
of greater value; viz. Saffron in Ruffus Pills, and in Oxycroceum
Plaster, which latter, they colour of a saffron colour with Turmeric,
Sanders &c. Ambergrise in Alkermes, Diascordium was found by the
Censors in their search made only of Honey, and Bole-Armeniac. Which
false composition was taken away by the then Master of the Company.
Such Chymists which sell preparations honestly made complain, that few
Apothecaries will go to the prices of them. Whence it comes to pass,
that most of the preparations found in the Shops are sophisticated, to
the great abuse of City and Country. These abuses daily increase since
the Censors, discouraged by the multitude of Empirics swarming in
every Corner, have omitted their wonted searches, being to their loss
of time, and expences out of their own Purses for the publick good
only. Now since the Chymical Oyls, by reason of their great prices are
most of them adulterated, and very few of them right good, and that
nothing hath been published on this matter, and to leave the buyers of
them unexcusable, I shall here add briefly, yet sufficiently the ways
to discover these Cheats. First for sweet-scented Chymical Oyls, viz.
those of Cloves, Cinnamon and Sassaphras. Only drop a little of them
into fair water, and that part which is true good will sink under the
water, but the adulterated part will swim on the top of it. Some
others draw deep tinctures from the said Spices with Spirit of Wine
highly rectified, and sell them for the Oyls; but these mix with the
water throughout, neither swimming, nor sinking. Others more craftily
digest with the said tinctures some of the true Oyls, which compound
being put into water, will for a time render it white. Another way of
sophisticating is with Oyl of Turpentine mixed in great quantity with
that which is adulterated; You may easily discover the Oyl of
Turpentine, by setting it on fire, for it yields abundance of
ill-scented smoak, with very little savour of the Herb, Flour, or
Seed, &c. and soon takes fire. To correct the ill smell of the
Turpentine, they digest it with, and distil it off with Spirit of
Wine. Those sophisticated with Turpentine, fired in a Silver Spoon
colour it, and quickly diffuse themselves upon a Knife, or Paper. The
best way to try by firing, is to put a drop or two of these Oyls on
the end of a broad pointed Knife, which being first heated, and then
thrust into a lighted Candle, presently take fire, and break out into
a flame with much dark smoak; but if you will try them in a Spoon,
heat it first over a Candle, and then blow the flame of lighted paper,
or of a Wax Candle on them. To try the scent, blow out the flame of
the good Oyls, and your smell will soon discover the ill scent of the
Turpentine from that of the good Oyl. But on the contrary, all Oyls
drawn from Plants by distillation hardly flame, and the flame soon
goes out, and the smoak gives a full flavour of the Plant it self,
whereas those sophisticated as before, differ from the true in both.
The same Oyls are also sophisticated with cheap ones drawn from
decayed Oringes, and Limons; Your smell on firing will soon discover
these mixtures. A third way of sophisticating Chymical Oyls is, by
mixing with them such Oyls as are made by expression, which are easily
discovered by rubbing them on white paper, which being held and dryed
at the fire, the Chymical part soon flyes away, and leaves the paper
transparent, looking no otherwise then oyled paper; but pure Chymical
Oyls totally fly away, leaving the paper white as 'twas before, and
not transparent, and in this way Oyl of sweet Almonds and Spike have a
great share. As for Oyls drawn by Retort, they all of them smell so
strong of the fire, that neither smell nor tast can well discover any
fraud in them. Now for the fixed Salts, most of them are made of the
Ashes of Tobacco-stalks, &c. More might be said for the discovery of
the Cheats of other Chymical preparations, which shall be reserved to
another opportunity, and had Physicians just encouragement, they would
spend both their time and moneys on the like discoveries for the
publick Utility.
Fifthly, Add to the former (though perhaps 'tis an error of ignorance
only) that if such Simples are prescribed they know not, they fetch
from the Herb-women what they give them, true or false; for many of
these Women give to very many Plants false names; Now if the
Apothecary be so careful to consult an Herbal, which few have, and
fewer know how to make use of, yet they too frequently mistake the
thing by reason of several names given to the same thing, or of one
name to several things, and many of them consult the common
Dictionaries only, which are most erroneous in the names of natural
things; insomuch that in my first practice (being curious of these
particulars) I have found two or three mistakes in one prescription, a
Catalogue of which mistakes, and names ill given, I had collected, but
the late fire consumed it, though many of them my memory hath
reserved.
Sixthly, Many of the London, and most of the Country-Apothecaries, buy
of the whole-sale men, who affirm of one another, especially of such
who gain great Estates in short time, that they cannot sell their
Medicines honestly made at so low a rate as they do.
Seventhly, I shall need to say little of such distilled waters, as
discover themselves neither to smell, nor tast, but shall only recite
a known Story of an Apothecary, who chid his man for sending away a
Customer that came for Plantan water, telling him there was enough at
the Pump.
Eighthly, As for Ointments, and Plasters, they are sold by some at so
low a price, viz. 3 d. per l. for Ointments, as I have been informed,
that 'tis not possible to make them at, and yet such however falsifyed
maintain a trade amongst Country, and low-priced City-Apothecaries,
and the Chirurgeons profess they cannot effect their Cures with the
Shop-Medicines, and that this is the reason why they make their own
Oyls, Oyntments, &c. as the Apothecaries Charter allows them to do;
and why may not Physicians think this to be the cause why they
sometimes fail in their Cures, as well as Chirurgeons? and also make
their own Medicines as well as they, especially since the Apothecary
may as easily falsify, and to greater profit in the one, then in the
other?
Ninthly, As to their use of bad or decayed Drugs, 'tis so common a
practice that I shall need to give but one notorious instance of it,
and 'tis this, I having occasion to use some Seeds, sent for them to a
Seeds-man, the Messenger desiring to have those of the same Year. The
Tradesman knowing him to live with me, asked, if they were for
Physical use, he replyed in the affirmative, whereat he presently
shewed him others, which were of 6 or 7 years old (as he confessed)
affirming them to be as good for that use as the newest, which he sold
only for sowing, and that he kept the others, though never so old, for
the Apothecaries only, who still asked for them, buying them though 20
years old, not regarding if they were decayed and wholy effete (for no
Seed will preserve its vegetative faculty above 7 years much less its
Physical) so they could but have them cheap. Besides their pretty
knacks (as they call them) of making their Compounds fair to the eye,
more vendible, but worse for use, by restoring them to their colour
and consistence, that they may pass for good, which perhaps 'tis
better to pass over in silence, lest by confuting I should teach the
younger Fry, who may better be honestly ignorant of them. Now for
their substituting one thing for another, and detracting where they
please, I shall add but one Story of an Apothecary, who commanded his
man (who told him they had no good Rhabarb in the house) that he
should put in double quantity of what they had. Nay I have known one
simple of a quite different nature used for a whole composition.
Tenthly, I shall conclude this ungrateful Discourse, with saying that
by reason more frauds may be committed by the Apothecaries, then by
any other Trade, and by supposition that gain will tempt most men to
dishonest actions, especially where they may act undiscovered; I say;
that this seems to be the cause why they have two Supervisors set over
them more then any Company that I know of, viz. the Censors of the
College of Physicians, and the Master and Wardens of their own
Company.
The next thing is the inlarging and multiplying their Bills and
Medicines.
First, When in Chronical Diseases a Physician is consulted, they go on
of their own heads with the same prescription, frequently enough to
the Patients great disadvantage, both of health and purse.
Secondly, By giving and intermixing Medicines of their own Phancy,
with the Physicians prescriptions, viz. some pleasing Medicine,
whereby too often the Physicians intention is quite crost, and the
effect made uncertain, and hazardous.
Thirdly, By giving Medicines themselves on small accounts, and such as
require only a good ordering, and no more.
Fourthly, By repeating long courses of Physic unadvisedly, and
needlesly, when either nothing, or very little is needful to be done.
Fifthly, By creating diseases in easie mens Phansies, and so decoying
them into courses of Physic.
Sixthly, Some of them get private and worthless receipts, and sell
them at what rate they please; Mr. Delaune by one Pill alone, though
not a very safe one, got some thousands of pounds.
Seventhly, If one of them get a private receipt from a Physician
called by the inventor his Nostrum, if another Apothecary have
occasion to use it, he shall be sure to pay sawce for it.
Eighthly, Another trick is when the Patient is cured, and the
Physician therefore hath given over his Visits, then comes the
Apothecary and insinuates by his words and passions, either some
danger of relapse, or some other present distemper, and repairs to the
Physician for a Bill to cure the imaginary disease.
Ninthly, But their principal Art of all is, to cry up, and bring in to
Patients such Physicians, who through design must comply with the
Apothecaries Interest, and such Practisers they extol and cry up for
good Physicians, which some of them call more expresly good
Apothecaries Physicians, and such without doubt, the whole Company
will endeavour to raise unto a fame and practice. But such as write
only for the good of the Patient, and not at all for the benefit of
the Apothecary (as all honest men ought to do) they will endeavour to
prevent their calling in, or to shuffle them out.
Now this good Apothecaries Physician, they describe by his frequent
though needless visits, but especially by the multitude of his Bills,
by his visiting twice a day, or oftner (a very careful and painful
Doctor) and by still writing new Medicines, when half the former, or
perhaps none of them have been taken, making an Apothecaries Shop in
the Patients House, planting the Cupboards and Windows with Glasses
and Gally-Pots, and not a quarter of the whole made use of. He
prescribes a Medicine for every slight complaint, and never goes away
from the Patient or the Patient from him, without a Bill, for fear of
the Apothecaries grumbling.
And from this burdening the sick with multiplicity of Medicines, too
often contrary to, and destructive one of another, it proceeds that in
the Small Pox, and Measles, many are afraid to use Physicians, and
commit the care of the sick to Nurses, and Old Women, and perhaps
sometimes not without cause, for by continual multiplication of
Medicines, the humours of the body may be made, or kept in too great a
state of fluidity, whence the Flox followeth. Whereas a Medicine or
two duly administred, may suffice to bring them well forth, and then
there needs no more but good ordering, unless perhaps some accident
arise, which may require further care. And here as well as in other
Cases, the Patient is to be rectified, who requires the Physicians
Visits, and yet dismisseth him without a reward, unless he writes a
Bill, whereas it might have been better if nothing at all had been
prescribed; and the Physician left to his own judgment; and hence it
is that many enlarge their Bills, that the Patient may think he hath
enough for his money, whereby the Apothecary is gratified, who ought
to commend the Medicines as necessary for the sick person, and
singular in themselves, whereas in truth this great farcy proves
ungrateful to the tast and stomach; inconvenient to health, by curing
one disease, but creating more; and by this means keeping them
continually in a way of Physic.
A third abuse of the Apothecaries relates to the prices of their
Medicines; first they put what rates they please on their Simples,
Compounds, and Receipts, and none are judges of them, but those of
their own Trade; insomuch that they gain a 11 d. in the Shilling, if
they say true of themselves. Whereas the Colleges of Physicians beyond
Sea, yearly set a tax upon the Simples, and Compounds of the Shops. So
that the Customer can tell the price of what he hath occasion to use,
and not stand at the mercy of the Apothecary to rate them as he lists,
and to this purpose they put in print the prices of them every year.
Secondly, Suppose a Physician hath prescribed a Pint of Juleb, &c. to
be taken at four several times, some Apothecaries carry not the whole
pint at once, but divide it into four parts, and carry but one at a
time, and so of other Medicines, and then will charge their Bill for
every single Potion, or Draught, as they ought the whole Pint; so that
by this Art they gain four times as much for the whole Medicine as in
Conscience they ought; and a Juleb, which cost them six pence, will be
rated at 10, 12, or more Shillings. But perhaps 'tis fit they should
be paid for their created Visits; and for this unnecessary
officiousness, persons of great estates may be contented to pay
roundly, if they please.
Thirdly, When a Physician hath prescribed 20 Pills, some of the
Apothecaries will make 30 of them, under pretence the Patient cannot
swallow them else; now reckoning each Pill at a certain rate (as they
usually do) they gain a third part more then they ought.
Fourthly, To advance the prices, you shall hardly ever see a Bill
without Bezoar, or Pearls in it, to make people think them very
chargeable; whereas sometimes there is not above a grain or two of
these dear ingredients in the prescription, and a few grains of these
or Ambergrise doubles or trebles the prices of the Medicines, and are
sure never to be omitted in their Bills, besides the guilding of the
Pills, and covering their Bolusses, and Electuaries with Gold (which
have only an imaginary and no real use in Medicines so used) much
inhanseth their prices, and a rich Cordial inserted exceedingly
advanceth most of their Bills; or if China or any other dear
ingredient be in the receipt 'tis not omitted.
Fifthly, Some Apothecaries offer, and perhaps some Physicians have
taken presents to help them to Customers, which must necessarily be
squeazed out of their higher-rated Medicines.
Sixthly, I have heard some prudent persons complain of their bringing
in their Bills but once in a year, or two; supposing they made them
pay Lombards Usury for their forbearance. And through this neglect
they sometimes lose their money, and whether they raise other Mens
Bills to make up these losses, I affirm not.
Seventhly, Another cause of raising their prices is a necessity of
keeping in their Shops such Medicines as are seldom used, or such as
must upon necessity decay, and grow useless. Now suppose they throw
such away, this reason is good, but you will find a remedy for this
hereafter.
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
particular practisers of it.