A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries eBook

Christopher Merrett
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 69 pages of information about A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries.

A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries eBook

Christopher Merrett
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 69 pages of information about A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries.

Lastly, The Company of the Apothecaries are bound by their Charter to bring their Servants (before they make them Free) to be examined by the Censors of our College, and to have their approbation of their fitness to exercise their Art, and set up their Trade.  Now that they have herein neglected their duty, and consequently may be dis-franchised and lose their Freedoms for this omission, ’tis manifest not only by the vapours of some of them to some members of our Body, that they never underwent this examination; but also by comparing of our Register (wherein are recorded the names of all such as have been examined) with theirs, if they keep any for this purpose.  Sure I am, that in two years together, when I was Censor, very few, if any, did appear to their examination, whereas yearly a very great number set up their Trades.  Nay since the firing of London not one Apothecaries Servant hath been examined by the Censors, for more then these three Years last past, in which time perhaps no less then 100 have been made free by the Company.

Before our presenting this Charter to the Parliament, they would admit no Arbitrators betwixt our Corporation, and Theirs, not contenting themselves with their Charter lately granted in King James’s Reign, and that by the procurement of some of our College for these unthankful persons.  For they would not refer themselves (as the Chirurgeons without many words or dispute did) to the most upright, and most knowing Sir Orlando Bridgeman then Lord Chief Justice, and now Lord Keeper, for a clause to be by him drawn, in order to preserve their immunities and Charter; which they refused, fearing belike he would exclude them from the Practice of Physic, which the Law hath already done, and which is all they could doubt of; but the Corporation of Chirurgeons did acquiesce in the clause drawn by the said Lord Chief Justice, and never appeared before the Committee against the said Charter.

Their increasing dis-respect, and undervaluing the College, appears in this, that of late years they place our Censors invited to their new Masters Dinner, at their second Tables whereas always heretofore they were seated at the first Table, next to the Master of the Company.

And to hinder the building of a New College, and the Contribution of the Honorary Fellows thereunto, they tell them that we deceived them in their admission, and never intend the building of a New College, though a large contribution hath been made, and ground purchased in order thereunto by the Members of their Corporation.

And their further design appears in their great triumphing, and rejoycing when any illiterate person hath gained any reputation for a Cure performed, especially where Physicians have been concerned, though the Patients neglect or obstinateness, have been the sole cause of this non-performance, and by their continued detraction from Physicians, and applauding themselves, hoping by the former, that people will think such Mountebanks able to do better Cures then learned Physicians, and then they can easily insinuate themselves superior to such Mountebanks, and consequently to Physicians.  By the latter, they seek to depress, and level us to themselves, being conscious they can never rise to that worth and ability, required in a Physician.

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A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.