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
Now since the Cheaters with the Cheatees, most insist on the objection
of Poyson; I add to what hath been formerly said; that Poysons are not
necessarily to be given in Medicines alone, but may be given in
Broaths, Beer, or any other thing taken into the Body, and that
without the consultation or knowledg of any Physician, and surely if
any one had a mind to Poyson his Relations (an Action abominable to
the English Nation) he would rather Act privately himself, having many
opportunities offered to him, rather then by communicating it to
others, make himself obnoxious to their discovery. But if he should
communicate to others, 'tis more probable he would communicate it to
meaner, and more Mercenary persons, as Apothecaries and Nurses, at a
smaller rate and with more security, then reveal such secrets to
Physicians, Men of Honour, and Honesty. Furthermore, if any mans life
be suspected to be taken away with Poyson, and by opening the body it
should appear so (and without which it cannot well appear) the
Physician is doubtless as lyable to the Law as any other person
whatsoever. So that the Patient hath as much moral security from this
mischief, as possibly can be had, or wished in humane affairs. Nay
suppose the Physician might be so corrupted (as to take away his
Patients life) he might effect it without the least suspition; either
by neglecting, or omitting what was necessary, or by giving him
unproper Medicines, for which he could be accused of ignorance or
errour only; besides, if he had a mind to poyson, he as well as
others, assistants of Visitors, might do it securely enough, by
conveying into a singular Cordial, or any Medicine made by the Shops,
and often taken by the Patient before with good success, a mortal dose
without any knowledg or surmise of any such horrid practice. Add
hereunto what an able Chirurgeon suggested, that Apothecaries taking
upon them the wrapping up, and Embalming of Bodies (whereby they gain
more money then by several years practice upon them; for their
embalming amounts to very great sums) may upon better reason be
suspected of poysoning then any other persons whatsoever conversant
among the sick, since both a particular interest and convenience of
concealing may induce them to it. Lastly, did this Objection carry any
weight in it, then neither Physicians, Chirurgeons, Apothecaries,
Nurses, nor Friends, might administer to the sick; because all these,
as well as Physicians, may clandestinely poyson their Relations. And
therefore that an Objection should be raised by such persons that have
more opportunities and advantage (in a thing never proved to be done,
because 'tis possible only) to hinder so manifest and publick a profit
as hath been proved; appears to be very weak and absurd.
And having done with the Objections made to others, and to my self
also by some of the Company, with whom I have conversed, who huff'd
exceedingly at my first discourse with them, but departed (seemingly
at least) well satisfied, I am sure fully and without reply answered,
and with addition of many other Cheats besides, which I shall not here
mention for the reasons above specified: I shall here transcribe one
gratulatory Letter amongst many sent me by a Divine well known in
Physic, being very comprehensive of most I have said, to the end the
Universities and all learned men may see what is like to become of one
of the three of their noble professions: The words of the Letter are
these.
"Your design all ingenious persons approve highly, to whom I have
communicated it. 'Tis frequent with a Master Apothecary that hath
served but 2, or 3 years, nay some scarce one, to take Apprentices
for as little, or less time, with a little more money then
ordinarily; and presently they assume the Title of Doctors, though
they understand no more then only to write to a whole-sale
Apothecary in your City. And truly their couzenages here in the
Country do exceed those in the City. For I have known 2s. 6d.
taken for a little Plaster of Galbanum, and it is usual to make
one pectoral Syrup serve for all; as having occasion to enquire
for Syrup of Jujubs, one of them ingenuously confessed (not
knowing what Jujubs were) that he used one pectoral Syrup for all,
a little varying the colour sometimes, and this a peculiar receipt
of his own, something differing from any in the Dispensatory."
As for their opposition also in the Country, take this one Example. An
eminent Physician of Gloucester by reason of the Apothecaries Frauds,
&c. betook himself to make his own Medicines, taking for his Servant
one that was not a Freeman of the said City. Who in his Masters
absence, and contrary to his command, sold to an Apothecary a Medicine
not to be had, or at least pretended not to be had in the Town, for a
most urgent and necessary use; whereupon the Apothecaries conspiring
together, exhibited a complaint to the Mayor and Court of Aldermen,
requiring of them, that the said Physician (who was a Freeman, and had
lately born the Office of Mayor) might be dis-franchised. Which being
not granted them, they set the whole City into such disorder, that
they refused to attend the Mayor on a Solemn day (as their Custom is,
and are bound to do) with their Flags from their Town-Hall to the
Church, which the prudence of the Magistrates for the present
qualified. This relation I had from the then Mayor my Kinsman, in the
presence of a London Apothecary.
Next as to the Lyes and Scandals of my self, I shall take notice only
of those that concern practice (the rest being but generally false and
non-sensical revilings.) One is, that they most untruly entitle me to
have been Physician to the Lady Anderson, and many others which I
never saw or heard of; and that I soon dispatched them. Another
wherewith they make great noise, is, of one Mr. Staples in
Covent-Garden, whom they say also I dispatched in few days. The true
relation whereof was this. An able Physician of the College had him in
hand for the Jaundice, about two Months before I was called, whereupon
we consulted and writ a note to the Apothecary; a week after the
consultation I was sent for, and desired to take care of him alone; he
was then, besides the Jaundice, troubled with continual Torments in
his Bowels, which were as hard as a Board (as they say) his Stomach
gone, his nights restless, a vehement Cough joyned with a Hectick
Fever, having long before had an ill Habit of Body. In this Case I
found him, and in a Months time or thereabouts, I cured his Jaundice,
relieved his Torments, removed the hardness of his Bowels, mitigated
his Cough, but the Hectick Fever continuing he declined; at length
another Physician was called in, who can witness the truth of what was
done, and upon the whole we had good reason to think his Liver to be
Apostemated. After which consultation he had no more of me, telling me
he would rely on Kitchin Physic, and after that I never saw him. Now
this being the only relation I have heard in this kind, I have been
the larger to recite it, that thereby the Reader may take an estimate
of their dealing with me in the like reports. The like or worse, some
of them have said of other Physicians, which perhaps hereafter shall
be more fully related with all the Circumstances.
As for their malicious anger, and disadvantageous to themselves, take
this one example; I having prescribed a Plaster for the Head, an
Apothecary would not make it, because prescribed by me; and I have
been informed that many of them agreed they would make nothing for
such Physicians as made their own Medicines; a poor and pitiful
revenge, to their own loss and discredit.
Another Scandal is, the fewness of my Medicines. 'Tis true my Closet
is not open to every bodies Eye, nor have I so many and large Pots and
Glasses, or fill'd with as good as nothing, or the same Medicine, in
several with different Titles, neither are any of mine guilded to make
a shew with; yet I dare offer to view with the best of their Shops,
for number of good and really useful Medicines fit to answer presently
any Physicians intentions, for internal remedies. And this will be
attested by some of my learned Collegues, who have seen and perused
them. Whereas the Shops contain only some general Medicines, whereof
few single Physicians make use of one quarter in their practice, and
upon most particular cases are compell'd to prescribe what is not
readily dispensed in the Shops. Others insinuate my seldom change of
Medicines. To which I answer, that where all circumstances are the
same, and a good success follows, I neither do, nor will much vary,
the easiest thing in the World to be done, both to colour and tast.
For such changes (necessary to be used in Shop-practice) without
manifest reason, clog a Patients Purse and Stomach, may not suit with
the Patients Disease nor Constitution. And doubtless every Physician
writes at first what he conceives most fit, and proper in the Case
proposed; and if this agrees fully to his expectation, runs some
hazard in the alteration, which he is necessitated to do in the
Shop-way, for many reasons before-mentioned. Besides, who scruples to
take the Medicinal Waters of Epsom, Barnet, and Tunbridge, many weeks
together? or who refuseth a constant unalter'd Diet-Drink for some
Months, or Years together? And do not Apothecaries in all Diseases of
the Lungs, fly to their pectoral decoction for all persons, and for
the same person at all times, unless perhaps with the addition of a
little China to it?
Some Patients of the middle rank have by these and such like Artifices
been drawn from me, but have soon returned, being undeceived by the
fulsomness, charge, and the non-success of the Shops.
Now these things I have here published to this end alone, that both
Physician and Patient may take notice of them; the former to neglect
and slight such poor Calumnies, and the other to avoid the
inconveniencies thence arising.
The care I had not to injure any particular person, by naming him in
my first Edition, or this (although I had so many witnesses of credit,
as appears by the Postscript, to justifie any thing they can object
against) makes me hope they will leave off their personal animosities,
or redress their Crimes, their Vanity of threatning me with 20000 l.
Actions, and affrighting my publishing this, together with my further
proceedings, by their intended assaults and batteries; which make them
appear so ridiculous, that I smile at the first, and pardon the last;
wishing them to consider seriously how the expectation some have of
what they can say for themselves, together with the necessity that
obliges them to it (if possible) were enough one would think, besides
their many large brags of a speedy and full answer (which they have a
long time buzzed about the Town as a present remedy in this exigence)
this I say were enough to make any man conclude them guilty, but 'tis
hoped this Edition will either work in them an amendment, or bury
their confident presumptions, leaving no man a belief of their
innocency. If their promised answer be any thing else but Libelling,
or a Ballad without rhime or reason, stuft with falsities and
revilings, such as was only given to Dr. Coxe's Book; I shall return
it a speedy and full answer, and with an addition of far greater
Frauds and Abuses, if they therein desire it.
Feb. 20
Hatton-Garden.
* * * * *
Pag. 35. l. 6 read Physician, pag. 67. l. 13. read then to trust.
FINIS.