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.