Praxis Medicorum, ANTIQVA& NOVA: THE Ancient and Modern practise OF physic Examined, Stated, and Compared.  
The Preparation and Custody of Medicines, as it was the Primitive Custom with the Princes and great Patrons of physic, asserted, and proved to be the proper charge, and grand duty of every Physician successively.  
The new mode of Prescribing, and Filing recipes with Apothecaries, manifested an imprudent invention, and pernicious innovation.  
Demonstrated from the triple Damage and Disadvantages that arise thence; to Physician, Patient, and the Medical Science.  
With enforcing Arguments for a return, and general conformity to the Primitive practise.  
All Objections to the contrary, answered and fully cleared.  
By E. Maynwaring, Doctor in physic.  
LONDON, Printed by J. M. and are to be sold by T. Archer Bookseller, under St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, 1671.   

licenced.  
March 17. 1670/ 1.   

The Ancient and Modern practise of physic, Examined, Stated, and Compared.  
IT cannot be expected in this small Volume that the whole matter in difference, between the Ancient and modern Professors in the medicall Science, should be controverted and stated. But that which I aim at, and pitch upon at present to traverse, relates chiefly to the management and mode of practise: therein to let you understand how differently the affair of physic is carried on now of later times, from what it was in former Ages, and from the beginning; laying down and assigning the benefits and advantages that accrue by the one; as also the prejudice and damages that arise by the other, necessary depending thereon, and unavoidable.  
These are the two cardinal points, to which this present Discourse is directed, and principally looks at: Yet in the current of this debate, some things else will fall in parergos, which we shall animadvert on, as remarkable and to be noted, but not insist thereon at this time. And in managing this Disceptation, I must recite and revive some of my own Writings( scattered in several Tracts) that are extant relating to this subject, which I cannot well pass by, but insert in their due places as valid arguments not to be smothered and forgotten, but to be preserved in memory so long as the cause in hand remains disputable.  
I must confess, the current of practise runs strongly against me, by the multitude of Professors that are fixed in the contrary course; whose general custom and perseverance therein is strongly persuasive to 
Plebeia ingenia magis exemplis, auàm or atione capiuntur. Macrob. Satur. l. 1.  inconsiderate, unwary heads, that it is undoubtedly the right way, the most learned, and most advantageous mode of practise: notwithstanding so great a party appears against me, I am not thereby daunted to oppose their male-Practice, though supported by the authority and countenance of learned men well reputed, exercising therein. And in the designing and carrying on of this undertaking, I would not be misunderstood and deemed a malevolent detractor, or emulator to any person or party herein concerned; but incited to it by the merits of the cause, and through a just zeal to do a public service for the sick and infirm, and to promote the honor and improvement of this Science I do profess, and now pled for, being at present captivated and ensnared by an abusive Custom, intolerably injurious and destructive.  
I shall not longer detain you with an Apologetical premise, but led you into the substantial matter indicated and promised in the front of this Work. And first I will present to your view and consideration, the model and form of the Primitive practise, wherein physic had its first Being, and also increased to a considerable growth, by the sole industry of the Professors, without substitutes or subordinate men, to divide and share with them in their business. After this I shall relate to you the unhappy change and subversion of this laudably industrious institution, for the late mode of Pen practise, and filing Bills with Apothecaries, generally imitated and followed at this day.  
In the Infancy of physic, and during its growth to a considerable improvement; the learned Professors thereof, were so careful in their employment, and industrious to advance their Knowledge, that nothing appertaining to the whole business of this Art; but passed through their own hands, and was managed under their own eye; being privy and present to all concernments; and a faithful Guide in the conduct of the whole Work: not refusing the gathering of Simples, readily to know, and rightly to distinguish them; examining of Drugs, and proving their virtues; dissecting bodies, to view the admirable system and frame of man; and to understand the economy or government of Nature therein: preparing and compounding their own Medicines diligently, to gain a sound and true knowledge in Pharmacy, and to be expert in Medicines, and their various preparations: and all this with their own hands; and what not? to be truly informed, and ascertained in their Art; and not to depend upon hearsay, or fallacious reports of others, and the insufficiency of such testimonies: deeming it also not fit to manage so grand an Affair, of which the World was big in expectation, and that so nearly concerns the life of man, by proxyes and substitutes; but by their own proper labour and inspection; not trusting to Herb-women, Apothecaries, and such like.  
This was the Primitive practise of Physicians; and those of the greatest famed and renown, called the Princes of Physicians, gained that repute and esteem this way, by their great labour and diligent search into Naturals, for the good of mankind; refusing no pains that might conduce to the advance of their knowledge. And this was the exemplary, laudable, and constant practise of Aesculapius, Hermes Trismegistus, Hippocrates, Diocles, Caristius, Galen, Scribonius Largus, Andromachus, Oribasius, and all the ancient Heroes in physic: and that it was so, appears by the testimony of authentic Writers, as also from their own Works. Hippocrates in his Book {αβγδ}, in the seventh and eighth Sections, reckons up the accommodation that belongs to a Physician, of which he ought not to be destitute; amongst which are Chirurgical instruments and medicines of all sorts, that he ought always to have ready in his own keeping; and this he saith will make a Physician more confident in his practise, and more readily applying himself to the sick, 
{αβγδ}.  so he concludes the eighth Section of that Book.  
Famous Quercitan upon this question, an medicum deceat {αβγδ}? affirms that the Ancients were very industrious and diligent in the Preparation of their Medicines, which they kept in readiness by them to serve their practise. 
Quercetan. rediviv. pag. 218.  Hippocrates ipse eorum faciem conspuisset, qui praeparandorum svorum remediorum scientiam illi detraxissent, quorum utique veteres tam vigiles fuerunt custodes, ut ea nequaquam publica facerent omnibus, said magna cautione sibi asservarent,& filiis ac nepotibus seriatim tandem committerent, ac per manus traderent. This also is affirmed by Sennertus, a judicious, moderate, 
Sennert. institut. med. lib. v. pars 3 Sect. 2. cap. 1.  and faithful Writer, handling this question, an medico liceat componere medicamenta? holds the affirmative, both from the antiquity of the custom, as also the utility and advantage to Patient and Physician: Neque etiam praeter dignitatem medici esse componere medicamenta, antiqui illi viri prudentissimi, medicique peritissimi satis docuerunt, qui etsi haberent unguentarios, seplasiarios,& id genus hominum, qui fucos, unguenta& similia praecipuè vendebant, ornando potius quam curando corpori utilia, totam tamen medicamentorum compositionem 
Sennert. ibid.  ipsis non committebant. Ipsi domi suae medicamenta composuerunt, neque sibi dedecori, said laudi esse duxerunt, si rei humano generi utilissimae operam impenderent, neque plus rationis manuum suarum, quam animi haberent: imo ignaviorum potius esse videtur, omnia ministris committere, quorum vel avaritiâ, vel improbitate factum est saepius, ut medicamenta praestantissima quae {αβγδ} antiqui appellant, vel indoctissimis empyricis communicarentur, vel corrupta& vitiata authoritatem suam amitterent, nec vires, ob quas ab antiquis praedicabantur, haberent. You see plainly the judgement of this grave Writer in the case, that the preparation of Medicines by Physicians is as profitable and necessary as ancient.  
And as the preparation of Medicines was the general custom among the ancient Physicians; so likewise that laudable practise hath been continued in all Ages by some of the most eminent and most industrious Physicians, even since the time Apothecaries have been in use; such were Paracelsus, Libavius, Angelus Sala, Basilius Valentinus, Crollius, Quercitan, Mylius, Mynsicht, Faber, Hartman, Schroder, Sennertus, Van Helmont, Glauber, Swelfer, &c. many more, the most eminent of their times and places where they lived, have been industrious operators in Pharmacy, whose Exemplars are committed to us, to revise, meliorate, and improve.  
The necessity for continuation of this practise, and encouraging a general conformity thereto, will evidently appear to all rational people, if they consider the enforcements to it, arising from the whole interest and concerns of this Art, which are reducible to, or comprised under these 3 heads.  
First, The improvement and advance of the Art itself.  
Secondly, The security and utility to the Sick.  
Thirdly, The advantages and satisfaction to the Professors.  
We shall proceed distinctly upon these three capital parts, in the order as they stand. And first, that the Pharmacopaeian practise of Physicians is the direct and only way to improve and draw near to the perfection and completing of the Pharmacentic Art; upon which the whole success of the Medical Science does mainly and chiefly depend; is manifest from the original and primitive practise, upon which this Science is built and founded: and secondly, from the successive and successful improvements that have been made by Pharmacopoeian Doctors, in all Ages to our present times.  
That the origine and invention of physic did first spring out of an empyrical knowledge of Medicines, is confessed by most, if not all Writers, that treat of the Rise and Progress of physic: there were no Principles, Rules, nor Method established, but every one followed the dictates of his own fancy, to make trial of this or that, or this with that, for a Medicine; which experiments and trials of Medicines of their own invention and facture, 
Medicus absol. pag. 10, 11.  were recorded and reposited as their greatest secrets: So that Pharmacy was the foundation of physic, and here it took its rise, and herein were Physicians first exercised, before any rules were given: and after the frequent exhibiting and applying of Medicaments in several cases, and observations thereupon noted; then the Art began to be modeled and framed into a system of parts rationally composed, which by additions and culture from learned men through all Ages, hath arrived to this improvement we now see.  
Scribonius Largus, an ancient Author of sixteen 
Scribonius large. de compos. medicamentor.  hundred years standing, in his Book treating of the composition of Medicines saith; est enim haec pars medicinae, ut maxim necessaria, ita certè antiquissima,& ob haec( reckoning their virtues) primùm celebrata ac illustrata. And to what we have here asserted agrees Joan. Langius in his Medical 
Joan. Langius, Epist. med. lib. 1. Epist. 51.  Epistles, a grave Author, conversant with antic Writings: Scis nempe principium omnium artium esse rude: at temporis successu& experientia adaugeri,& excoli; quod certe medicina, omnium mortalium voto expetita, ac toties immutata indicat: hanc ante& sub Trojani belly temporibus Aesculapius& tandem ejus liberi Machaon& Podalirius, ac celebris ille Achillis praeceptor Chiron, 
Cor. cells. lib. 1. in proem. Plin. lib. 29. cap. 1. Galen. ad Erasistrat.  vulnerum medelis& Pharmacia se exercebant, solisque his duabus partibus, nempe Chirurgia& Pharmacia, tum medicina constabat: and for this he quotes the Authors in the margin.  
I need go no farther to prove the antiquity of Medicines, nor their Authors to be Pharmacopoeian Physicians of the greatest repute, and that physic was planted upon this foundation, being scarce denied by any. I now come to prove the necessity of continuing this practise, in order to the improvement and advance of physic, whereby chiefly the Art is truly enabled to do great things, and adorned with real performances in curing. So far is any Art or Science improved, by how much more it draws near and acquires the end, for which it is intended and instituted; the regaining of health is that mark to which all Medicines are ultimately directed: now by the prudent election and exquisite preparation of Medicines is this end attained more especially, and sometimes independently, without the contribution and assistance of the other parts of this Art. For the more distinct and clearer proof of this point I am now upon, I shall lay down these three following Positions, of a just latitude, which comprise the full scope of our matter; and which being proved, the first head of our triple division stands as a manifest truth.  
That Pharmacy or the dextrous preparation of Medicines, is the most excellent and necessary part of physic; and the main stress of curing, lies chiefly in the complete medicinal apparatus.  
That true skill in Pharmacy, and a certain knowledge of Medicines, is not gained by reading, but by manual preparations and trials; personally observing through the whole process of the Medicine, and noting all the circumstances appertaining to it, or casually emerging; whether successful or not; for a future guide, to direct and improve the next process, for the same Medicine; or to admonish, instruct, or caution in another, affine or analogous thereto.  
That the preparation of Medicines is the proper and special business of every Physician; without which experience and certain knowledge in Medicines, he cannot be complete in his Profession, but very insufficient in the grand and most weighty part of the Medical Science.  
To illustrate and prove the verity of first Thesis, I proceed thus: The excellency of Pharmacy, and its super-excellency above the other parts of physic( I mean chemical Pharmacy chiefly) does appear; first, because it is the ground work and foundation of the rest, and it lays open the mysteries of the whole Science, and gives light to every part thereof. A complete knowledge herein does discover the secret operations of Nature, whereby Diseases are more easily detected, and the manner of Curing more obvious and plain. Ubi definite Physicus, ibi incipit Medicus. Solid knowledge in Natural Philosophy, is the most necessary qualification, preparatory to make a good Physician: now this Philosophy must be experimental, solid, and certain: the notional Theorems in Philosophy, the World hath too long insisted on, and spent much time to little purpose, in vain ratiocinations, speculative conjectures, and verbal probations. And as Natural Phrlosophy is previous, and a sit qualification to ground a Physician on in a general knowledge of Nature, and this knowledge is gained by experiments and mechanic trials; so likewise the knowledge of the microcosm in a sound and morbid state, is acquired and discovered; and the ways and manner of curing unfolded and directed; by observing artificial operations and mechanical trials, which imitate Nature in her perfect and deficient actings: And upon this consideration Zwelfer affirms, 
Mantiss. hermit. praefat.  Chymiam esse artem nobilissimam,& medico scitu summè necessariam,& includere universam Philosophiam practicam. And Sennertus treating of chemical Pharmacy brings in 
Sennert. de confems.& diss. Chym. cum Galen. cap. 2.  Mesues to speak his thoughts, and to confirm his own opinion: Ut jam de eo nihil dicam quantum in naturae obscuritate investiganda Philosopho lucis praeserat Chymia: unde rectè à Mesue in Antidotar. Distinct. 21. cap. de olco ovorum. Chymici appellantur qui quae occulta sunt in rebus, manifestant& detegunt: Ut confidenter dicere ausim, vix aliquem ad peritiorem rerum naturalium cognitionem pervenire posse, qui in Chymicis operationibus, quibus res naturales artificiosè resolvuntur,& quarum beneficio mirandi rerum consensus& dissensus, ac omnino plurimi effectus alias occulti deprehenduntur, exercittus non est.  
Gregor. Horstius also, and other eminent Writers( though adhering sufficiently and too much to Calenick Doctrine) yet will have an exact knowledge of chemical Pharmacy so necessary to the completing a Physician, that without it he is of no 
Greg. Horst. lib. 10. de Pharmaceuticis.  account: Encomia Chymiae non opus est ut hîc recenseam, quia verum est, quod habet alicubi Heurnius: cespitat jam profectò sine hac arte medicina; quam ob causam rectè dicit P. And. Mathiolus in Epist. Ausim dicere, neminem medicum absolutum esse posse, imò nec mediocrem quidem, qui in hac nobilissima distillandi scientia non sit exercitatus. And Helmont that profound Philosopher gives his testimony 
Helm. Pharmacop. pag. 371.  of chemistry in these words: praeparat intellectum ad penetrandum occulta naturae, ponitque investigationem in natura vel ulteriorem, quàm aliae scientiae omnes simul;& penetrat usque ad ultimas profunditates veritatis realis. What is here attested of chemistry in general, as the only Key to unlock Natures Cabinet, serves to prove, and does include Pharmaceutic trials, to be the most necessary and useful means to acquaint a Physician with the whole secrets of his Art.  
From hence it is evident, that the constant exercise of Pharmaceutic Experiments, and diligent practise in the preparation of Medicines, gives a great advantage to a Physician, and is the most excellent Philosophical part of the medical Science, giving light to all the rest: for hereby not only a knowledge in Medicines is barely gained( though that is great) but a Physician is hereby acquainted with the operations and defects of Nature; is lead into the knowledge of Diseases, and is taught how to adapt a Medicine aright, and how Nature receives help and assistance in several cases of distress. An exact perspective knowledge of Medicines ( gained by Experiments and not otherwise) dilates itself and extends farther than the Pharmaceutick or mechanic part of physic; whereby a Pharmacopoeian Physician is better enabled to give an account of all the operations and deficiencies of Nature in human bodies, and the remedies that answer thereto, and the manner of their performance, than any other person, taught from the various trials of Medicinal Preparations, which not only discover their peculiar Natures in artificial processes, but withall by analogy unfold the latent operations and mysteries of the microcosm. You cannot design a Medicine rightly, nor aim at any Disease judiciously and certainly, but from the knowledge you have gained in Pharmacopoietick operations and trials of Medicines; for, by correcting, digesting, fermenting, distilling, subliming, volating, fixing, &c. are Diseases known, by these artificial imitations of Nature, and does lay open the mystery of Curing.  
But secondly, the super-excellency of Medicines appears in their immediate approach to and encounter with the Disease; so that the stress of curing lies principally and mainly here, in the goodness and efficacy of Medicines, more than in the other learning of a Physician. The Art of physic is styled the most excellent of all Arts, because of the end it attains and effects( health) which is the most excellent and desirable thing. And although the whole Art does contribute to this end; yet more especially, necessary, and immediately, Medicine does effect this; and this sometimes alone, without the assistance of the other parts of this Science: for a good Medicine shall perform much, given by an illiterate hand; but the most learned Physician can do but little to the praise and credit of this Art without a good Medicine. And therefore Blasius a Doctor of Amsterdam, speaking of the necessary accomplishments of a Physician, wherein his knowledge ought to consist; he gives the pre-eminence to Medicines, as the most requisite wherein his knowledge must not fail; because the burden and weight of Curing rests here: maximè tamen omnium mediorum( medicines) quibus 
Blasius in Pet. morel. method. Epist. Dedicat. pag. 3.  morbus propelli sanitasque restitui citò, tuto atque jucundè queat, natura adhibendique ratio. In his enim omnibus, quibuscunque Arti huic praestantissimae seize mancipare animus est, qui cum laud aliquando illam tractare desiderant, maximè ut excellant, imprimis allaborandum est.  
To the same purpose, and severely, Christ. Langius, a learned Doctor, urgeth the precedency of Medicines before all the rest; for as much as the life of the Patient, the credit of the Art, and reputation of the Physician, chiefly depends here, and is most eminently manifest: non immeritò autem 
long. miscellan. curios. medica, p. 145.  Medici omnibus nervis sollicitos se exhibent cirea remediorum sedulò continuatas inventiones& facturas; siquidem non tantummodò venerandam Antiquitatem hîc habeant fideliter praeeuntem, ac Iatro-Chymicorum Coronam hodieque presso pede laudata hujus vestigia insequentem; verum ipsissima etiam necessitas& conscientiae cultus impensè id inculcet; quum tam aegrotantium vita, quam medicinae gloria ac medentis fama in remediorum dextrè paratorum sinceritate omnino atque certitudine consistat.  
I could city many others of good Authority, whose judgments concur in this point, and do affirm the same: but what need I summon in Authority to countenance our Doctrine, when Reason urgeth so strongly, and proves our assertion so clearly and undeniably.  
Having shewed you the excellency of Medicines, and confirmed their dignity and merit, as the chiefest part of our Art: I come now to make good the second Thesis: that true skill, certain knowledge, and improvement of Medicines, is not attained by reading Authors, but by preparation and mechanic trials. To introduce a belief hereof we have  
First, the Pattern and Example of all the Ancients( as appears pag. 3, 4, 5.) who were industrious and laborious to gain the knowledge of Medicines.  
Secondly, The meliorations and improvements of those antic Medicines, by our modern Pharmacopoeian Physicians, confirms it farther: for, when Medicines are any ways improved, by better and more artificial preparation, it hath been done by some industrious Physicians who were operators in Medicines, and such were the modern Authors before name in pag. 6. hence it appears, that the whole knowledge of Medicines is founded here, and springs from this root; viz. manual preparations and trials of making Medicines, and not otherwise. And as there is yet a Plus ultra, room enough for greater Discoveries in Pharmacy; either by invention of new Medicaments, or by modeling and improving of the old, which yet deserves correction: there is no other way of progress, rational, secure, and certain, but this of preparation and manual facture, as did our Predecessors, and is now imitated by the most ingenious, and ablest Professors of this Age: what otherwise is suggested by putation or traditional Writings, is dubious at best, fallacious oftentimes and erroneous upon trial; and therefore not becoming an Artist, nor an honest man of so weighty a charge, as life and health, to venture and rely on.  
I might here bring in the sentiment of many learned men to this purpose; but to be brief, one shall speak the sense of the rest; and this from a judicious late Writer, a Collegiate Physician of London, complaining of the unhappy state of physic; offers what I now urge, as the only remedy for redress, and as the most advantageous means to improve the Art: his words are these. Besides the securing of the practise of physic to Physicians, 
Dr Jonath. Goddard. A Discourse of the unhappy condition of physic, &c. pag. 34, 35.  and the preventing its falling into other hands, which is a necessary advantage; there is another of happy consequence and more honourable, which, by this course of Physicians making their own Medicaments, may be attained; that is, a great improvement in the Art itself, hinted before: For when judicious Physi●ians come to be more familiarly acquainted with the materials of Medicaments, and also to experiment and observe operations, and processes upon them; especially the more accurate and artificial, as in chemical Preparations; they will discover the most advantageous ways of preparation, and the most rational proportions in order to composition; and come to contrive and invent new Medicaments, exceeding others in their kinds, and improve, beyond what they can imagine of themselves, before they have entered this way, and what they can ever otherwise attain; as some learned and ingenious Physicians have done. This is very plain, and fully asserts the truth of our second Position; and concurs with other heads of this Tract.  
Thirdly, The Nature and Reason of the Work itself, requires autoptical Experiments, and proofs by manual facture.  
No man can attain to a complete skill in manual Arts, but by manual operations; Pharmacy is a manual Art, therefore not acquired but by frequent practise in preparation. The force of our argument is obvious to ordinary capacities; being drawn from daily experience in other manufactories: as Painting, Carving, Writing, Building, Cookery, Engines of all sorts, &c. where there is a manifest sensible work to be effected and wrought, resulting from some formed or modeled matter, and remaining after the Artist ceaseth to operate; the perfection thereof, or a sufficient knowledge therein, is not acquired by contemplation 
{αβγδ}. Galen. de alim. fac. cap.  and Book reading, but by repetition of acts, in the manual labour and business of that Work. To what I have alleged, agrees the saying of Galen, an ancient and famous Master in this Art. And so I pass on to the next considerable assertion: that this preparation of Medicines, and the various experiments belonging thereto, is the proper work of every Physician.  
The first Reason is drawn from the Example and Custom of the Ancients( whose industrious practise was so, and proved, pag. 3, 4, 5.) to whom we are obliged for their labours in settling some foundation for us to tread on; and from which we ought not to depart and separate; unless it be for truths sake, or some necessity urging: which cannot be alleged in this case.  
The second pleads thus: for as much as the true knowledge of Medicines and improvement of Pharmacy, depends upon practise in preparation( as is already proved pag. 15, 16.) this knowledge and improvement ought to spring from the Physician, and be reposited in him; else he cannot be able to direct, correct, and improve Medicines: consequently then, he is very unfit to undertake the Sick; very unskilful to adapt, order, and appoint Medicines; very unable to perform a Cure; his Title and abilities are very incongruous, and more properly he deserves the Character of an empiric( in the worst sense) than Doctor Medicinae; because he is medicamentorum imperitus.  
Quercetan urging this duty upon the Physician, 
Quercetan. rediviv. pag. 223.  severely checks the ignorance of him who is not well exercised and skilful in the Preparation of Medicines: Quam turpe est medico, sibi doctor is titulum arrogare,& materiam, qua uti debet, modumque illius parandae ac administrandae ignorare, patique se à ministris suis superari? an ignoras experientiam rerum esse magistram? ergo Pharmacopoeius eam Callens magister erit, tu vero bruta statua Cathedrae affigeris. Construe that yourself, for I am ashamed to render it in English. Where would you have the knowledge to be treasured up, but in him that is Master of the Art: he that appoints the medicine, ought to know all that belongs to the medicine, both for the matter and manner of preparation.  
The college of Physicians of London, considering the many inconveniencies that emerge from the neglect of medicines, and trusting that business in other hands; have lately voted it honourable for a Physician to prepare his own medicines: Truly, if also they had voted it dishonourable not to do so, they had then enacted completely: that was well done, this ought not to be long undone. Well then, if it be honourable so to do, do you thus honourably, and then will you have honor and praise with all knowing men. There can be no greater, nor more acceptable and advantageous service to this Profession, than the regaining of it entire to the true owners; and delivering it successively to the Sons of Art, as their inheritance; which injuriously and absurdly hath been alienated from the Aesculapian Family. But Rome was not built in a day; 
{αβγδ}  great Affairs move slowly: a general radicated custom, is not suddenly broken; but there are great presages of a Change.  
In the interim, the preparation of medicines now, is not so scandalous to a Doctor of physic as formerly; who if once taken notice of for a Practiser with his own medicines, ipso facto, he was pronounced a Quack or empiric; he that touched a medicine went in danger of his reputation: but now aliares est; the scene is changed; and I expect very justly too, that it will be cujus contrarium: for this is a plain truth, he that does not handle medicines is not fit to touch the sick: he comes illotis manibus, not well prepared and qualified for that undertaking: in plain terms he is deficient; and that deficiency the greatest a Physician can be guilty of. To separate Medicines from the Physician, and make Pharmacy a distinct business, is to abstract from him the quintessence of his knowledge, is to disarm and disable him from relieving the sick; and to rob him of the best and most considerable part of his Art.  
If talking learnedly would charm or cure a Disease; then the Physician need not so much regard medicines, but leave that for any body to manage. said herbis, non verbis, 'tis medicine that cures; here then must be the Physicians great care, and exquisite skill; which cannot be expected, but from him that operates and prepares medicines: An majestas& pompa, hellenismus& latinismus medici nomine tenus, non re,— so Quercetan( though himself a learned man) goes on sharply reproving the 
Quercetan. rediviv. pag. 220.  vanity and insufficiency of learning dis-junct and separate from the diligent labour and acquired knowledge in the preparation of medicines. Doubtless it is a most absurd deficiency, for a Physician to be wanting in the true experienced knowledge of medicines: a Physician to be ignorant of medicines, is as absurd and irrational, as a Master of a Ship to be ignorant of the Compass: he that knows not medicines, is little better than he which knows nothing: What! practise at a venture! you may as well throw the Dice, whether the Patient shall recover or not, as give medicine at random: the old Woman is as safe a Practiser as you, that dare give a medicine of you know not what; nor you know not how made; being not privy to the choice of ingredients, nor present at the preparation.  
However, though the game goes thus generally, yet I am glad( tandem aliquando) to see that the preparation of Medicines comes to be esteemed and adjudged an honourable employ, befiting a learned Doctor and Philosopher: indeed it is so befiting, that he which is not thus employed, is but a Truant and a loiterer in the School of physic; an verum est? imò verissimum. Well then, you Prescriber in the mode of male-Practice; that have accounted it a dis-honor, and a Physicians shane, derogating from his dignity, to make Medicines; may now for shane, come and make them yourself: the shane now lies at your door; and there it will lie, until the reproach be taken off, by your return to the primitive, industrious, and most rational practise, of inspecting and operating in Medicines.  
Doctor Thompson, a learned Physician and expert operator in Medicines; lays this charge upon 
Dr Thompsons check to Hen. Stubbs. pag. 33.  every Professor, and shows the advantages that assurge from thence in these words, Physicians ought to make their own Medicines, for thereby they shall prepare them with a satisfactory elegance and exactness, improve them to the greater advantage and gradation; understand their virtues more clearly; administer them with the more discretion, and acquire a far greater confidence of their success; then may he be styled {αβγδ}, an officious Physician indeed; otherwise he can deserve no other title than of a mere Trifler in his Function; acting {αβγδ}, carelessly, perfunctorily, and cruelly.  
That Medicines are the Physicians business, and his proper concern, I further prove thus; That which is of the greatest importance, and most necessary to be exactly done, requires the greatest care, and strictest curiosity by the Physician: but medicines are the grand and chiefest part of a Physicians business, upon which more especially success or frustration does depend: therefore medicine is his proper and personal business most strictly to be regarded. The mayor, or first proposition I suppose none will deny; the minor or assumption I have proved at large in pag. 10, 11, 12, 13. that I need not repeat here, but refer you back to view the proof. Sennertus a Writer of great note and esteem, encourageth and adhorts Physicians to this duty of preparing Medicines for their own practise, as a work of great merit and desert. Nec, ut de 
Sennert. institut. lib. 5. part. 3. Sect. 2. cap.  Jul. Contareno in hoc negotio scribit Horat. Augenius, culpandus est, si pharmacorum compositioni incumbat medicus, said potius maximis extollendus landibus, ac praeterea honore atque praemio afficiendus: Nemo enim rectiùs composuerit medicamenta quàm medicus; utpote qui materiam remediorum, in qua maxima est differentia, agnoscit iis signis, quae alias indoctis vix commodè explicari queunt;& novit quo pacto integris facultatibus utile ab inutili, purum ab impuro secerni posset; quique mixtionis modum, insperatis quandoque morbis necessarium, optimè tenet, quem indoctus Pharmacopoeius vix assequitur. And in the same Chapter he saith; praestantissimi medici domi suae suis manibus medicamenta composuerunt,& suis nominibus insigniverunt: Then he brings in Valeriola, though seemingly against this practise; yet cannot deny but the best Physicians in Galen's time prepared their great Antidotes themselves, and accounts it the happiness of that Age. Then says Sennertus; Et 
Eodem cap.  cur non sit summa felicitas, si ea medicamenta, in quibus vita hominum sita est, ipsi etiam medici componant, nec omnia non rarò indoctis hominibus committendum. This Author( much approved and followed) declares himself very plainly for our present purpose: and indeed most Physicians now are sensible of the error they are fallen into, by being snared and carried away with the common prescribing custom; and what disadvantages and abuses it hath brought upon this Profession: but such as are riveted in that practise by combination with Apothecaries, and enticed away with the profit and ease of it, are loth to be rousted out; and they can be contented to smother and wink at all the injuries I can reckon up, to Physician, Patient, and the Art itself: so long as it goes well with them, so long as money comes in freely and easily this way, what care they; what need they trouble themselves about medicines: but those who desire sincerely to discharge their duty towards the sick; to advance the reputation of this Science, and exercise their Profession knowingly, and conscientiously, will have special regard to the medicine, in the election and choice of ingredients; will personally be at the Preparation; give out the medicine with due cautions; and not commit this, the weightiest part of his business, to other men and their Servants.  
I think it much more necessary, that a Physician look into the medicine, than the Chamber-Pot or Close-Stool, as a matter of greater concernment; and he shall practise with less hazard to his own reputation, and more security to his patients life. And I must say, an error, mistake, or abuse in the medicine, is far greater and more dangerous than a deficiency or error of the Physician in his judgement of the Patients Disease: For, a good medicine is not so tied up and restrained to one disease, but it shall operate for good in many others; so that if a Physician do not so exactly determine aright concerning the Patients Case; yet if the distemper he imagines have but an affinity, or some proportion with that which really afflicts the Patient, and he gives a proper good medicine according to his own determination; this medicine shall succeed well and prevail: but an adulterate bad medicine, though adapted and appointed by the most skilful head and deliberate consultation, shall take no effect, for the purpose intended, or else have bad effects. And therefore I may confidently affirm, that a Physician of ordinary Parts, with extraordinary curious medicines, of his own Preparation, well tried and proved, shall perform more and greater Cures, and have less miscarriages, than the most knowing and learned with sophisticate, and ordinary Shop medicines, of which no man can have confidence but a presumption. All the curious knowledge that can be comprised in one man or many, cannot cure without good efficacious medicines; cannot command a bad medicine from doing mischief; therefore good medicine is most to be esteemed, and nicely to be looked after, as the most excellent and most serviceable part of this Art; and the Physicians personal business, his grand and peculiar concern.  
I see no reason, but that a Physician may as well depend upon the chirurgeons skill in Anatomy, as the Apothecaries skill in medicines; and lay aside that trouble of dissecting, as well as this of preparing medicines: why you should be so much concerned for Anatomy, and so little regard medicines, the reason does not appear to me, nor is there any thing to be produced: this I am sure, that a good medicine without an exact anatomical knowledge, will perform its work; but the greatest skill in Anatomy, will not make amends for a frivolous or bad medicine. A competent knowledge in Anatomy, and an expert accurate judgement in medicinal preparations, makes an able good Physician; and with this man you may freely and safely trust your life: but if he be the best and most complete Anatomist in the world, having spent much of his time to gain repute in that curiosity, and neglected medicines; save only a speculative traditional knowledge, and what he hath gained by Books only; he may talk finely, but he can do little; he may get esteem with some kind of people, by his words and terms of Art, but not by his works; Cures will not famed him; he is an uncertain and a hazardous Practiser; subject to miscarriages and great errors in his undertakings: yet I would not have any think hereby, that I slight Anatomical disquisition and knowledge, but I blame the preferring of this before the other; the insisting too much upon Anatomy, and neglecting Pharmacy, which is chief, and gives the main stroke in Curing.  
And for as much as the mystery and dexterity of Curing, lies principally in the complete knowledge of Pharmacy, gained by preparation and constant exercise therein( as appears pag. 10, 11, 12.) then he that is not a Pharmacopoeian, is but half a Physician, and the worst half: for, the Pharmaceutick knowledge excels all the rest, as most useful and safe in Curing: and if a Physician may be allowed some grains, or abatement in knowledge, and pass currant; much better it is that he want weight in any part of this Science, than in the Pharmaceutick; this being the greatest requisite to constitute a good Physician, and render him most serviceable to the Sick; and so necessary, that without it his seeming abilities are a mere imposture, and he undertakes at a venture.  
Hence it plainly and undeniably appears, by what we have said and proved; that not to be skilful and expert in the manual preparation of Medicines, is a great and absurd deficiency in a Physician: not to be privy to all that appertains to any Medicine exhibited to the Patient, is a very irrational custom; is very dubious and uncertain in the management; is very dangerous and oft pernicious to the Sick: and therefore against all reason it is, that Medicines should be separated from the Physician, as a distinct charge and business; when indeed the Preparation of Medicines is the {αβγδ}, the main business, the chief office, and principal duty of a Physician. And here was his rise, and it was this work that did first constitute and make him a Physician; and here he ought to continue in this excellent fundamental employment; trying and searching out the virtues and properties of naturals, in their simplo genuine, and various compound state, by different preparations and trials, and divers probations in their use of curation: that from hence by ocular inspection, and manual tractation, which daily brings in a considerable improvement of requisite and necessary knowledge; we may hereby arrive at more certain solid judgement, have a more firm assurance and confidence in this our Art, than hitherto the most have had, by trusting too much, and relying upon Books as perfect Copies, and Pharmacopoietick substitutes, sufficient and as a full discharge of that duty; both which are great enemies to the proficiency and completement of our Science. And therefore that Physician who departs from the primitive, most rational, certain, and improving practise in the preparation of medicines; for a new fangle and fashion, of prescribing to Apothecaries; he deserts the most Philosophical, most necessary, and best part of this Profession; he degenerates much from a complete Physician; he goes out of himself, and halts shamefully in his abilities, being dismembered in the most substantial part; he is but a piece of a Physician, maimed and disabled from doing true service, and exercising his function iudustriously, knowingly, and faithfully as he ought.  
Having urged strongly this duty and charge of Medicines upon the Physician: I will now make some objections, the most plausible and seemingly valid that can be pleaded against it, in the behalf of those that would be exempt from the exercise of this part of their Profession and desire to live at ease.  
To excuse the Physician from the business of Medicines, and to free him from that trouble, it may be pleaded, Huic operi non vacat; he hath not time and leisure from visiting and being visited, to attend the Preparation of Medicines, making choice of the best Drugs, and what else belongs to this business.  
To this I answer: First, no Physician ought to take more business upon him, than what he can discharge carefully, safely, and honestly; not trusting and relying upon assistants( in the principal part) that may hazard and frustrate the whole success of his undertaking.  
Secondly, if a Physician's practise be so great, he cannot attend the whole, but must neglect or fail in some part of his duty; then let him fail in the lesser, and not in the main point; upon which the whole affair does chiefly depend; as it is the case of Medicines already proved. Abate some of your superfluous visits; receive an account at home sometimes, of the operation of your Medicines, which will give you very good information, how it fares with the Patient, whether better or worse, what hopes, and what symptom urgeth most, to occur and obviate next by a secure, efficacious, proper Medicine; and therefore it is much safer for the Patient, and the Physician shall better deserve his Fee, to be absent sometimes, in providing good medicines carefully and exactly, than he that often comes to ask the Patient how he does, and leaves the charge of Medicines( the grand work) to be managed by another, and his Servants. Besides, all Diseases are not acute, are not so swift in motion, nor suddenly varying with unexpected and unwonted accidents; but many are chronic, and do not call upon the Physician so quick, and so often, but do give him time and leisure, to attend at his best conveniency.  
The Patient thinks, and the Doctor would have him believe so; that when he hath visited him, seen his Urine, felt his Pulse, heard his complaints, writ his Bill to the Apothecary; that then help is at hand, great care is taken for his recovery, nothing can be done more or better. Oh, you are much mistaken, the great business is yet to do: the medicine which is more considerable, than all the contents of this visit, that is referred to the care and skill of the Apothecary and his Boys. You are more under these hands than the Doctors; you are now turned over to the Medicine Makers and Traders; in whose power your life is, and you are liable to suffer for any default, by their neglect, want of skill, sparing cost, inadvertency, and oversight, casualty, or hast of other business, shall expose you: and that from hence Patients do often suffer and miscarry: take the testimony of Doctor Merrett, a Collegiate Physician of London, and a Practiser for 30 years with Apothecaries, 
Dr Merret his short view of the Frauds& Abuses committed by Apothecaries, &c.  gives this account of them in his Book lately put forth.  
Pag. 8. They use Medicines quiter contrary to the Prescription, Myrtle leaves for Sena, &c. they falsify the grand compositions of the London Dispensatory, &c.  
Pag. 9. '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, &c. Such chemists which sell preparations honestly made, complain that few Apothecaries will go to the price 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, &c.  
Pag. 12. As to their use of decayed Drugs, 'tis so common a practise that I need not give instances of it, &c.  
Pag. 18. 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 a Medicine in due time, especially such as have no Servants, or but raw ones, when the Master is out of Town, or upon long Visits.  
If a Physician seriously considers the casualties that attend Medicines, and their uncertainty being not of his own providing; doubtless he cannot with confidence, nor with an honest face, excuse himself from this business, and say, he hath not time to look after Medicines. That's a pitiful unwarrantable pretence, to say, you have not time to look after Medicines; then, I say, you have not time to be able and knowing in your Profession; then you have not time to take a faithful and due care over the sick: then you have not time to be an honest Physician, and you are but a slight and a hazardous undertaker in this weighty affair: you can find time enough to make visits for the Fees sake; but you cannot spare time to perform your whole duty; nor the principal part of your duty, upon which curing, and the safety of the Patient does chiefly depend.  
Thirdly, A Physician being provided with a good Stock of Medicines, well designed and proved by frequent use, to answer the general operations that practise will put him upon: Cathartick, Emetic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Anodyne, with some appropriate Medicines to principal parts, Cephalic, Pulmonic, Cardiac, &c. he being thus accommodated, shall not be puzzled or disturbed to appoint sufficient and complete Medicines out of this apparatus for all his Patients, although his practise be great, and have many under his charge.  
Now how this Stock of Medicines shall be raised, and how it will be managed and maintained with that facility and readiness, as not to impede and check a Physicians practise, appears thus. It is rationally supposed, that a Physician upon his first entrance into this Profession, does not jump presently into a full practise; but he must stay some years for it, perhaps many; before business throngs him: during which time he hath then leisure enough, to make his trials in the preparation of Medicines; to be thoroughly acquainted with the materia medica; and be raising himself a stock of well approved Medicines in the several operations of physic; such as his repeated experiments in their preparation and use, shall give him full satisfaction and a just confidence to rely on, as his standing Medicines for all emergent occasions: and his Repository being thus completely furnished; he is then well prepared, fit and ready for a great practise: and this stock of Medicines thus gradually and satisfactorily acquired; shall be maintained and supplied with great ease and delight; supposing he make but one Medicine in a Fortnight, or perhaps a longer time: for the Medicines thus designed by Physicians, will not be like those of the Shops( soon fading and losing their virtues, that little they have) but such as will preserve themselves( with good keeping) many years: no great bustle then to manage a full practise, no Pots nor Kettles upon the fire all day; no syruping, no apozems, no barley waters, no Clyster decoctions, no pulping for electuaries, Lohochs, &c. none of this dirty work nor hurry upon sudden occasions, that makes a great clutter at the Apothecaries Shop, if practise comes in pretty fast. There is a much better and more curious designment of Medicines, a far neater way of preparing them; less troublesone, more noble and Philosophical, more delightful, and satisfactory, longer lasting, easily and presently dispensed, appositely serving to the whole practise of physic, and readily answering all occasions that present.  
To this purpose, a forementioned Author does 
Dr Godard's Discourse of the unhappy condition of the practise of physic.  declare himself; showing the facility of a Physicians managing his whole business: Pag. 28. Whoever with judgement peruseth the London Dispensatory, may soon estimate, to what an Epitome it may be reduced, how many Compositions may be spared, how many ingredients almost in every Composition: and whoever with the like judgement considers and casts up the main intentions and indications that occur in practise, it will not be hard for him to state the remedies adequate and proper to such intentions as are of greatest importance; and by consequence to be stored with Preparations and Compositions ready made of the choicest materials, to the best advantage for use and practise, more grateful and effectual, and every way more considerable than the Shop Medicines; as Purges, Cordials, Antidotes, &c. which by judgement and chemical Art, as the case may require, may be so prepared as to last long, without impairing the virtue by keeping, and therefore to be always ready; to be of such form as is convenient to be given, either alone, or with some vehicle; which may easily be had, or prepared by the Patient, or any about him. And in page. the 30. he farther saith. And it will not be hard for a Physician, making use only of a Servant or Servants( who shall be no ways capable of discovering his secrets, but only fit to kindle fires, tend a Still, or Furnace, beat at a Mortar, &c.) to oversee and with his own hands prepare and compound what is necessary for himself to do; and by this means, though he be in full practise, at the expense of a few spare hours, to store himself sufficiently for all his occasions, of such great remedies and secrets of importance.  
And to the same purpose, another late Writer of the college of London; urging the Preparation of Medicines upon the Physician, as the only means to redress the abuses that have been befallen this Profession, and chiefly from the Apothecaries, who have betrayed their trust. Pag. 48. of that 
Dr C. T. his answer to a Letter concerning the practise of physic in England.  Answer he saith: your 9th( reason) consists of many Parts, but all the difficulties insinuated in it, as to the hazard, and charge a young Physician, at his first entrance to practise may run, in making a competent provision of Medicines, may be obviated easily enough by what you insinuate yourself, of remitting easy things, as common Decoctions, Clysters, Ptysans, &c. to Patients themselves; which may also upon occasion, and according to emergent exigencies, be actuated by little quantities of generous and lasting remedies; which no Physician that will attempt the way, that you or I would have, but must always have a competent stock of, readily to supply the Sick with upon occasion; and I doubt not when you and I meet, but that I shall satisfy you, that some of us have contrived à materia medica, consisting of generous, lasting, and acknowledgedly the most effectual known Medicines; which when the trouble of making them is once over, may be contained in a Cabinet not of the largest size; and by present mixtures, according to the occasion, and the help of easily prepared Vehicles, may serve as effectually as any other whatsoever, to cure all the Diseases that infect miserable man; or at least to give him all that relief his condition is capable to receive from Medicines: I cannot therefore think, that having some Medicines made from Shops, renders the way you propose better, because less troublesone then that of the ancients; for I am one of those that cannot value any trouble, that is indeed really necessary to the acquiring an honest and an honourable purpose;— And so he goes on worthily to encourage Physicians in this undertaking of Medicines. Neither was this, or the whole discourse, the single judgement of this Author; but in the front of these Printed Papers, you may red there; that they were made public at the request of several Members of the college of Physicians, which argues their concurrence and consent herein. And in the last page. of those Papers, he declares his perseverance, where he saith: That all the Reasons of the 17th Proposition are likewise better complied with, and all the advantages better acquired by the way of wholly making our own Medicines, and having nothing to do with those men( Apothecaries) who have used us so unkindly.  
You plainly see here that in what I urge, I am not singular; nor is it so difficult, unreasonable, and unpracticable, as some may imagine, or would fain persuade to that belief: but as it is most advantageous to advance the credit of physic, and secure it from the many abuses now exposed to, and suffered under; so is it very facile and easy to be undertaken: and therefore the objection offered, as a bar to this laudable and much desired work, proves of no validity to discourage the industrious Physician, from this attempt of preparing his own Medicines, as did our Ancestors of famous memory.  
A second objection and discouragement, to hinder and keep off Physicians from managing the business of Medicines may be this: That in regard strange accidents do happen sometimes to a Patient upon the exhibiting of a Medicine, which no way caused such effects, but arising otherwise: or if the Medicine did produce them per se; it was from some mistake, neglect, or other fault of the Apothecary or his Servant, that prepared the Medicine, not from the Prescriber: therefore to justify the actions of Physicians, and to clear them from any unjust imputation or censure, from such unwonted strange symptoms that may happen, or unexpected sudden death; the Bills upon the file are a sufficient testimony to aver his innocency, sound judgement and skill, and to take off any such scandal: which had he acted alone, and none privy to the Medicine; he could not so well clear himself, but must lie under the reproach.  
This seems to be a fair pretence at first sight, to discharge a Physician from the undertaking of Medicines; but look further into it, you will find no substantial matter, only a spectrum and shadow of reason, which will vanish into nothing. First, By this suggestion, you comply with me, and insinuate that Medicines is the grand business in Curing; which according as that is managed, well or ill, a Physician is justified or condemned: if his Prescript be but innocent, he is acquitted and discharged from any scandal; intimating thereby that Medicine is the main and chief, whereon a Physicians reputation hangs; which does or undoes all.  
Secondly I say,( and admit Medicines to be the main) that an innocent Medicine does not acquit a Physician, either from malice( if you can imagine it) or ignorance; but he may do mischiefs enough intendedly or ignorantly, and the Medicine not to be accused in sua natura, but pro re nata; which none can fully judge of, but a Physician that is conversant with the Sick; and none shall detect him, if he be cunning to palliate, or disguise and represent the case otherwise then re vera it was: So that the producing of harmless Medicines off the file, does not clear a Physicians reputation sufficiently( to knowing men in these matters) but he must stand a farther trial and probation of his judgement, in traversing this matter of Fact. You may as well and easily kill your Patient, with an innocent, slight, frivolous, or a good Medicine; as with a dangerous and desperate Medicine that is more manifest in the effects: Do you think to clear yourself from scandal by producing the Bills from the Apothecaries files? it was but an innocent Cordial of aq. Theriac. sir. Caryophill. &c. such like: it was but a common Clyster; it was but barley water, or a over of stilled waters and syrups: it was but this or that common Medicine, which is well known to be safe and harmless. The vulgar perhaps may clear you upon this, but the Judicious and knowing will not acquit you thus: Notwithstanding these innocent Medicines( as you call them, and some may think so) you may do great mischief with them and abuse the Sick; you may be a very dunce and proceed indirectly, ignorantly and sottshly. To give such an innocent slight Medicine worth nothing( at least to that purpose) when the Patient stands in need of an efficacious Medicine, fully to answer the Indication prompting and requiring: To give a Cordial when the case indicates a Purge, or è contra; to exhibit a Diuretic, when the indication prompts am Emetic, or è contra; to appoint a over when the case urgeth for a Diaphoretic: to give an Opiate when the case forbids all Somniferous remedies: to Phlebotomise and exhaust nature, when you should restore and strengthen with generous noble Medicines; you are hereby accessary to the death or miserable life of the Patient, by such improper absurd courses wherein you can hardly be detected, if a Physicians eye be not over you; and you may do what mischief you please,( if advantage lie in that way) and the medicine not apparently accuse you; and therefore this filing of Bil●● with Apothecaries is not sufficient to clear a Physician, and to justify him in practise; but he may be culpable grossly, and the medicines not condemn him.  
Thirdly, In the difficult and weighty undertaking of a Prince, governor, or other great person of public and eminent concern, where suspicion of treachery and perfidious practise may arise; very rare it is that a Physician acts alone, but two, three, or more consult and determine the quid agendum and quibus auxiliis; so that no defamation or suspicion can lie upon a single person, as to the medicine, but all are privy to, and acquainted therewith: but suppose a Physician be sole Agent, and have the whole charge committed to him; he may easily free his private Medicines from suspicion and unjust scandal; if a part of every medicine given, be separated in the presence of the standards by, and safely kept by them, to be produced and tried afterwards upon others; if there should be cause of suspicion by strange accidents that may attend the sickness, or unexpected ill success, that may follow the exhibiting of any medicine.  
Fourthly, In the charge of Patients of a lower quality and inferior concern; better it is, and more safe for the Doctors reputation, that he suffer under an unjust censure, sometimes and seldom by ignorant and unskilful people; then often to suffer from the Apothecaries default undetected; which also may justly be charged upon the Physician, being his substitute and acting in his place, what the Physician ought to have done himself: and it is a well grounded truth, that a Physicians reputation lies more and oftener at hazard by the deficiency of medicines from the Apothecaries management, than otherwise from the rash undeserved censure of the Patient: and although we do admit that Patients sometimes or their friends, may accuse and asperse a Physician; better it is that he suffer innocently, having discharged his Conscience in the full performance of his duty, and managing of medicines carefully himself; than deservedly from his perfunctory slight undertaking, and committing that grand work to others, which is the ground work and foundation of Curing: Nor are Physicians exempt from censure and scandal, although their medicines be recorded with the Apothecary; but as often shall suffer an ill report, as those whose practise is entire to themselves, and none privy thereto.  
Fifthly, Since of late years Apothecaries have betrayed their trust; are become such bold intruders and invaders of this Profession, setting up themselves and affirming their abilities in this undertaking, vyeing with the learned Professors in practise. It is very rational to assert, that Physicians reputation cannot be safe to be trusted in such hands; and a great imprudency to expose the success of their endeavours to the will and power of those, that are so unjustly and unworthily become their Competitors.  
Nor is this my sense alone, but others very knowing Men in this Faculty are very sensible of the same, and have declared it publicly; advising Physicians to a more secure way of practise; that is, by preparing and giving their own medicines. Dr. Merret being well acquainted with the carriages and inclinations of Apothecaries towards Physicians, having practised with them for many years, gives them this Character. As to the Physicians in 
Dr Merrets view of the Frauds& Abuses of Apothecaries, &c. pag. 19.  general, they endeavour to extirpate them, and some have been so bold to say, they hope in few years to see never a Physician in London, and to profess they will scramble with them for practise. Then he goes on to demonstrate: First, They have always endeavoured and aimed at the depression and ruin of the college of Physicians, the only Corporation of that Art in England, considering rightly that the depression of the college is their interest and rise, and the total subversion of it will make them absolute Masters in physic, and Physitians their Servants.  
Secondly, They have continually traduced the college and troubled them in Parliaments, at the Council board, &c. 
Dr Dan. Cox, A discourse of the Patients interest, &c. and Abuses of the Apothecaries in preparing Medicines, &c. Pag. 13. 14. 15.   
And another member of the college complains of them, and warns Physicians to secure themselves by declining that hazardous way of practise with Apothecaries; his words are these: Physicians are subject to suffer from the malice or design of Apothecaries; now although Charity obliges us to think well of all men, till their actions discover them to be bad; yet such hath been the demeanour of the Apothecaries towards the Physicians, that they have reason to stand upon their guard, and hazard as little with them as they can, &c. Then he goes on to show how they 
pag. 68. 69  may, and how they have wronged Physicians closely and slily.  
And a fore-named Author, in his serious discourse of physic, takes cognizance of the abuse Physicians are liable to from Apothecaries; and that 
Dr Goddards discourse of the unhappy condition of physic. pag. 41. 42 43.  the Physicians reputation lies at their mercy. I shall not recite his words( for brevity sake) but refer the Reader thither. Now these things being seriously considered, the filing of Bills with Apothecaries is not a prudent course to secure a Physicians reputation; but rather exposeth him to contempt, and he hazards his credit every day: and therefore this objection in hand is of no force to keep of, or excuse a Physician from preparing his own medicines.  
A third Objection against what I have urged may be this: That the making and selling medicines is too mechanic, and below a Doctor to stoop to such an inferior employ; not becoming him, but proper for an Apothecary and Tradesman.  
I Answer, and do confess that some of our Professors have been so proud, and I may say shallowbrain'd( by what I have heard and seen) as to consent to and comply with this Objection; and have looked superciliously in scorn, and elated themselves above those Physicians that have managed the business of medicines; and the Apothecaries( to bring such Physicians under contempt and disesteem) call them Quacks, and their practise Quacking; and the vulgar( taking their information from such aspersions as these) have had the most industrious, knowing and choicest Physicians in the repute of Mountebanks or empirics; or at best, but Physicians of the lower Classis and inferior rank, that are content with a peddling practise. But their vanity, folly, and madness, does evidently appear by what I have said; and farther I have to say; that although such as these men, biased from right reason, by pride, self interest, ignorance, and misinformation; do disdain the preparation of Medicines in Physicians, as unsuitable and improper for them; yet this Phantastic opinion is but of late standing; it was not so from the beginning, nor is it so now with the the most judicious, and serious inquisitive Persons. And I pray, who are they now of this opinion, or that would persuade the People into this opinion; as for the Apothecary it is his interest so to do, and to vilify all Pharmacopaeian Physicians, because his trade will lessen if such men gain credit and acceptance with the People: and in time when People can see their advantage, perhaps bring their trade out of use. As for the Men of our own Profession, that dissuade and draw back from us, to hinder this great work of returning to the Primitive practise; who are they? and what is their ends? a lazy prescribing Doctor, perhaps here and there one; such as had rather live in ignorance and ease, than carefully and industriously gain a complete knowledge in their Art, and discharge their duty honestly towards the Sick. A Doctor! do you disdain the principal part of your Profession? the foundation of your Art, and the safety of the Sick? who, and what are you? Certainly some great Dunce, or greathere must be great ignorance, or notable knavish confederacy in the case: to vilify an able Operator in Medicines, to asperse and scandalise an industrious inquirer by Experiments, into the nature of all Medicinal Ingredients; a zealous labourer and prosecutor after knowledge in the preparation of Medicines; a careful undertaker of the Sick; a legitimate dignified Professor that performs his whole duty, and bauks at nothing he ought to do; a learned Philosopher, more learned and truly knowing then yourself. This must needs be gross ignorance, or a crafty knavish device, to excuse your idle Worship from labour, diligence and industry in the duty of your employment; by detracting from the worthiness of other men, and condemning that which is most laudable: rather than you will lose your ease and and gainful confederate friendship with an Apothecary; you will not stick to undervalue the most knowing and Philosophical part of this Art, and despise the most learned exemplary Philosopher in this faculty. Are you better than Hippocrates and Galen, Libavius and Helmont? and all the Ancient and Modern Worthies that have been diligent labourers in Pharmaceutic Experiments, and kept their Medicines in their own custody, and dispensed them to their Patients? how comes your honour to be infringed by this work more then theirs? and have we it not recorded in many good Authors which you own, that Kings and Emperours have made Medicines to be satisfied in, and commend the excellent knowledge thereof to the world; and several Medicines are called by their names, as the Inventors and Authors thereof by preparation? and do we not know that great Ladies in these days do not think it dishonourable to busy themselves sometimes in the ordinary making of Medicines? and have we not a more sublime way of preparing Medicines, becoming and fit only for a great Philosopher and Doctor of physic? oh, but you are a Doctor of the imperial part of physic! you scorn the Mechanic part; a Doctor of the gentle, easy, talking practise; you are a apothecary Doctor! I cry you mercy Sir, I did not take so much notice heretofore of the addition to your Doctoral Title; you have climbed very high to step into a Pothecaryes shop. I hope you will not think yourself affronted, nor be disgusted, if I should call you a Journeyman Doctor; much good may you do with your new honour, and much good may we have without it; proceed on if you think it well, but if we take you by the Ear sometimes, you must bear it patiently, for I know not how you will help yourself fairly; and justify yourself to be an honest, able, and careful Practiser.  
As for the servile works that belongs to Medicines, that is not the Doctors part; he is not required to toy in the drudgery of it, that is his Servants work; but he must supervise and take care 
Medic. absolute. pag. 92.  there be no neglect, mistake or abuse: he may have work-men to do the work, but in the interim he must be work-master, to design the Medicine, to appoint, correct, and overlook the whole business; he is {αβγδ} and {αβγδ}; and where the curiosity, mystery and Intrigue of the Art lies, that is to be done by his own hand, that is his Closet business.  
Quercitan a great Doctor of Paris, very famous 
Quercet. rediviv. p. 219. 220.  in his time, and Physician to the French King; derides the foolish pride of those men that think the preparation of Medicines an inferior work, and derogating from the Title of Doctor: he rather censures them as undeserving of that Title, that is not conversant and very knowing in the making of Medicines. See how he checks those men that scorn the preparation of Medicines. And Rolfincius says, 
Rolfine. Chym. in Art. form. redact. pag. 31.  that industry in the preparation of Medicines commends a Physician, and adds to his reputation: Elevat mediri eminentiam& existimationem, si& manum& mentem adhibeat, ipseque modum componendi Selectissima arcana non solum norit, said& 
pag. 32.  eadum praeparet— submissio& humilitas haec pro salute aegrorum suscepta eum neutiquam dedecet, non magis, quam sputorum& urinarum inspectio, stercorumque exploratio. Senertus likewise was of the 
Sennert. institut. lib. 5. part. 3. Sect 2. Cap. 1.  same opinion, and exhorts to this work: Neque preter dignitatem Medici esse, componere Medicamenta, antiqui illi viri prudentissimi, Medicique peritissimi satis docuerunt— ipsi domi suae Medicamenta composuerunt, neque sibi dedecori, se●●audi esse duxerunt—  
The ancients who called Medicines {αβγδ}, did not judge it meet that they should be handled and managed by profane illiterate men; but made Medicines their chief business and proper work: and as this was their practise, so is it now approved by the most knowing men of our Age: and as I  told you before, the college of London have voted it honourable for Physicians to make their own Medicines: indeed it is so honourable and praise worthy, that he which doth it not, cannot be a man of value and worth in the matter of Curing; for he is not an able and safe Practiser, let his parts otherwise be ever so great and excellent. That Society claims a great share in the improvement of the Medical Art: this will abundantly be enlarged, and amount to more than all the rest; if they restore the practise of physic entire to the Prof●ssors again, as it was in ancient times. If this college be the first Society that shakes of the yoke of Copartnership, and breaks of that pernicious custom of prescribing to, and filing Bills with Apothecaries; doubtless it will be recorded as the most prudent generous Act, and most advantageous to the honour and welfare of this Science, and an egregious exemplar for the whole world to follow; which doubtless will be generally imitated and followed, when an eminent body shall led the Van; as I hope it will be the honour of our Nation, thus to put foremost, and show a singular zeal to redeem this excellent Art, and rescue it out of bondage and insufferable inconveniencies; this will be a work so worthy and memorable, that our posterity and Successors will have an honourable mention and Cordate esteem for all those who have contributed their endeavours for so happy a restitution, and delivering this Art whole and entire to them; which while the world stands, will never be alienated nor divided again; having had a sufficient proof by our recorded complaints, of the great inconveniencies and danger that arise thereby, to the insufferable disadvantages of all industrious Professors, and great injuries to the sick. This happy restauration of physic will be celebrated to perpetuity, and this Annus Redemptionis, never to be forgotten by all honest Professors in this faculty. In other parts of the world they are sensible of what we now complain of, and have this matter under consideration, and many have declined the Pen-practice, and are become industrious Operators in Pharmacy: As for those that are content to get money in a degenerate unwarrantable way; Oportet haberi, and care not how it come; all is well if it do but come, although ignobly by craft and complices; they are to be marked, nigro Carbone, as being of a spurious hatch, and a disgrace to the Aesculapian family.  
But although we have evidenced the Preparation of Medicines to be a worthy employ, befiting, and properly the Doctors business; yet the selling of these Medicines some may scruple at, as inferior and too like a Tradesman. I need give no other answer to this, then what a Professor before mentioned hath already done.  
That for a Physician to drive such a trade for its 
Dr Jonath. Goddards discourse, &c. pag. 37.  own sake, or merely for profit that might accrue to him thereby, could not be of credit; but in order to so necessary an end, as the securing of his practise, and the benefit of his own industry to himself; and to so good an end as the improvement of his Art to the benefit of others; it can be no more dishonourable to him to s●● physic, than to persons of honour and great estates, to sell their Corn, cattle, Wool, or Foreign Princes their Wines.  
A fourth Objection comes in and crys very loud, and seemingly upon just grounds: That it is a very hard case, a company of men promoted by Physicians, and afterwards established by Law; should by Physicians be decried and set aside as useless, exposing them and their Families to necessity and unwarrantable Practices for their support; and they being increased in number triple within this forty years.  
I answer; First, That the imprudent and incautelous Act of our Pr●decessors, in dividing and separating Pharmacy from the Physicians care and management( his chief and special business) is not a perpetual obligation upon their Successors, to observe and continue the same, against all inconveniencies and prejudices that shall arise thereby, before unthought of and unprovided against.  
Secondly, The legal establishments of our Nation are not like the Laws of the Medes and Persians unalterble; but according to the constitution of times and occasions, do admit of alteration or abolition: if Apothecaries in those days did seem to be a conveniency to Physicians and to the People, yet by what hath been manifestly proved, the case is altered, and the inconveniencies do preponderate that little good and advantage that first attended such an establishment.  
Thirdly, If ruin must fall upon one party; better and more reasonable the Apothecaries should suffer, than the Physicians: better for the public that it fall upon the Ministerial than the Magisterial part; the unlearned men than the learned: he that is Master of the Art, that propagates, increaseth and advanceth it, more fit he should be regarded and preserved, than he that is subvervient and an inferior Operator, that acts by instruction and appointment; huc usque deventum est, the one or the other must decay and grow out of esteem: for if this Art continue long as it is divided, between the physician and the Apothecary; this Agent in trust, by several sinister ways and advantages, will eat out the credit of his Master; and you will find the Professors to whither away by degrees, and grow less in the opinion of the People, as the other multiplies and gets repute: the presages are apparent enough, and the prognostic very rational: the Physicians support will decrease, being subtracted by their Agents; and their esteem will gather rust for want of employment, and their parts will be flat and dispirited, to see such subordinate inferior men encroach upon their rights, and act in their place as Physicians.  
Fourthly, Since Apothecaries have betrayed the trust reposed in them by Physicians, which is essential to their being, and the great motive to their constitution; and have re●olted from that observance of Physitians business, regarding more a common trade of their own, and a usurped practise unworthily stolen from their M●●ters and Founders: I judge it most reasonable and the clearest justice, for Physicians to desert them, and re-assume that business and trust into their own hands again; and not to do it, is to be stupid and senseless, unjust to themselves, connivers at their own and their Patients abuses, regardless of the honour and repute of that Science they profess.  
Fifthly, The fafe and speedy recovery of the sick ( the aim and end of physic) lying principally in the Physicians care and management of Medicines( as appears through the whole Discourse) this ought and must be preferred, and is of far greater concern, than the profit or maintenance of a particular company of men; whose constitution was intended and ordained for the welfare and benefit of Patient and Physician, in the good provision and secure dispensing of Medicines: but upon long and sad experience, not proving so to either, but much otherwise; there is no valid reason, nor plausible Plea for their continuance,( as appendents to Physicians) contrary to the public interest, the safety and advantage of all the people.  
Sixthly, Although Apothecaries be multiplied in number, to the detriment of some few that would live honestly of their Trades; and puts the most if not all upon sinister ways, usurping the Physicians right, and contriving gain more than the excellency and faithful provision of Medicines: yet this inconvenience and pretended necessity is from themselves; tolerating so many Apprentices to be admitted, which lies in their own power to obviate and prevent: but a great occasion of this was, that the Master being a Practiser in physic, must have more than one Apprentice to make medicines, whilst he is visiting his Patients abroad, leaving Physicians Prescripts, and the Shop Trade to be managed by the Boys: So that this supernumerary was caused by your treacherous usurpation of the Physicians function; and improvident neglect of your future welfare, in the honest discharge of your Trade and trust: and must the Physician always suffer, because you have wronged him, and continued it into a Custom? and will you allege that for an argument against his just relief, which in his just complaint against you?  
Seventhly, Although Physicians do depart from them, they are not then left destitute of a livelihood; they have a Shop Trade to stick to; and such a Trade as no other hath the like gain, nor managed( caeteris paribus) with so little a stock: So that there is no such fear they will be exposed to hardship; and if you consider too, that although Physicians do recede from them, they will have Patients, as well as Customers to their Shop, and many people will apply to them: So good an opinion have many people of the skill and honesty of an Apothecary, that you need not fear but he will live, and better perhaps than some able and worthy Physicians, that are very sedulous and industrious to gain a good repute in this Profession, by long study and great charge.  
Having made enquiry into, and run through the most material and valid objections that stand in opposition to our third Position; I wave some trifling 
Second enforcement.  ones, and come now to the second enforcement of this duty urged upon Physicians; and that is drawn from the benefits that accrue to the Sick; and they are comprised( chiefly) under these two heads; Security and Utility; which I shall handle distinctly.  
That the Patient is more safe, and free from hazards, abuses, and casual accidents from mistakes or otherwise, under a Physician who takes upon him the management and care of Medicines; than under another( though very learned) who commits that trust into the hands of an Apothecary and his Servants; will appear an evident truth if we consider.  
First, The difference in point of ability and certain knowledge between the Pharmacopoeian, and the Prescribing Doctor: how the first excels and surpasseth the latter: and there is great reason for it; that a Physician constantly practising and pursuing knowledge in the preparation of Medicines, should be far more able and expert in Medicines; more certainly and securely design them than any other( let his learning be ever so great) that directs and prescribes at a probable venture, from the assistance of Books, and the fallacious reports of Authors, that take up upon trust from one another: this is fully proved pag. 15, 16, and in the following part of this Discourse.  
Secondly, The great difference between the medicines of the Pharmacopoeian Doctor; and those of the Pharmacopoeian Tradesman.  
In comparing the two Physicians together, we prove the designment of medicines to be more skilful, certain, and exact; and more knowingly appointed by the one, than by the other. In comparing with the Apothecary we shall evidence that medicines have a better management, are more carefully and more honestly made, by the Physician than by him. The reasons persuading and urging to this belief are,  
First, The incumbency of the charge and sole management, resting upon the Physician, rendering him inexcusable in the miscarriage or abuse of medicines; does therefore excite him to a double diligence, having no way to evade the guilt, but must take it upon him. We may then reasonably imagine, that a Physician having the whole charge upon him, and what miscarriage happens, or ill success issues from any medicine must lye at his door, and be charged upon his account; must therefore have a sedulous care and diligent attention upon the whole affair, must be very exact in the election of ingredients, their due weight, proper preparation, and artificial composition; since his famed and credit only lies at stake for all; this must needs quicken him and stir him up to the greatest care and nicest observance imaginable. Now if an Apothecary and his Boys( bread up in a Shop trading way, and cursory managing of business) can be thus sensible, and always cogitative of this great charge that lies upon them; can be thus scrupulous and exact, in the complete discharge of this great trust( the failing whereof is often mortal) judge you.   

Secondly, The different interests and aims of the two Persons( reputation in the Physician, profit in the Apothecary) argues their prime intentions to be excentric, and of a different bias; must therefore take several ways, and go by different mediums to arrive thither. The first runs parallel and even with the Patients safe and speedy recovery; the latter moves sinisterly, is biased and swayed towards the present advantage of the Purse. If it be a mans interest and advantage to be honest in any undertaking; we may easily believe that man to be honest, because there is no profit to temp● him to be otherwise: it is just so with the Physician in point of medicines: 'tis not the price of a medicine, that is his gain; but the famed and reputation of a medicine, which is excellent in performing great and good effects, that is his great advantage and profit: So that profit comes in to him consecutivè, and emerging as the result of the former; honourably not mechanically: and this profit does not, cannot tempt him to unjust actions, but puts him upon virtuous and most laudable endeavours to acquire it: and although a Physician in other matters were a very dishonest man and used no conscience; yet in this where his reputation, his advancement and profit lies, there he will be upright, because his interest leads him to it, and there is no temptation to be dishonest and falsify his medicines; nothing but perfect folly, and acting against himself, can make a Physician be unfaithful or careless in medicines. Is not he a mad man, that to get a crown or ten shillings more, by abusing and sophisticating three or four medicines, shall thereby lose the advantage of a Cure, lose his reputation, lose the good opinion of his Patient, his relations and acquaintance, that would have brought pounds to him: so that instead of gaining by the cheat, he is a great loser; and no man( I think) in his wits will cheat for loss, though many do for gain.  
The case is not thus with the Tradesman in physic: it is with him as it is with other Shop men: a Tradesman reckons his profit, by what his Ware cost, and what he sells it for; so much more as he gets in the selling, so much profit he accounts to his Purse: and therefore tradesman when they buy, choose such Commodities as they can get most by in retailing: and do you think it is not so in the Medicine trade? of necessity it must be so, if you consider, that all the Drugs imported into England, sooner or later, they are sold and made into medicine, although they have lain by years, with the Merchant, Druggist and Apothecary, before they are used: now look upon the Drugs, and you shall see two or three sorts and degrees of each of them in point of goodness: one sort is fine ware and choice; another sort is course and degenerate, perhaps of the growth of another Country not so good; a third is damnified and decayed by transportation or long keeping. Now for these several sorts of the same species or kind; as they differ in goodness, so you have several prices set you: and you shall have one, for 20 s. the pound, the other for 30 s. the best 40 s. or perhaps 50. Now if there be such difference( as certainly there is) in Drugs both for price and goodness; then we may conclude, that there is as much difference in the goodness of medicines.  
But what becomes of these three sorts of Drugs? first or last, they are all sold, good and bad, all is turned into Medicine. The Pharmacopoeian Doctor that prepares Medicines for his own practise; he is so nice and curious in the choice of his Drugs, that none but the very best will go down with him, he defies the degenerate and decayed sort, he stands not upon the price, that shall not make him refuse the Commodity; and it is his interest and best policy so to do, because he lives and thrives by Cures, not by selling of Medicines. And I have heard some Druggists say, if all their Customers were so curious to pick out the choicest of their ware and leave the other, they knew not how to manage their Trade, and live by it. What then becomes of the trash and courser sort? there are Chapmen for that too; there are those that drive a Trade in physic; and tradesman will not give forty shillings, if they can buy for twenty; especially when a Commodity may be sold again without discovery of its badness. And such is the case of Drugs, when they are compounded and converted into medicine, they are not discernible, but pass currant. Now ask your own reason, if it be not more safe, and may you not have more confidence in medicines from the Physicians hand, than from another, that makes a Trade of physic; especially in this Age, when there is so much fraud and deceit in buying and selling.  
That Shop Medicines are commonly thus abused 
Dr Merrets View of the frauds and abuses committed by Apothecaries, &c. p 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.  and falsified, see what a Practiser with Apothecaries for 30 years in this City saith; Doctor Merret before name, one likely to give a true account of their medicine making: you will find there a Catalogue of great abuses, and counterfeiting of medicines: and such safe medicines, the sick are plentifully plied with.  
To this we may add the thoughts and averment 
The accomplished Physician, &c. pag. 8.  of an Anonymus Author of a late Tract, wherein touching this point in hand, he saith; At the Druggists there being two sorts of all Drugs, the one good sound and dear; the other, though of the same kind, course, almost rotten, and very cheap; we may be jealous, that those who aim at an Aldermanship by a quick step, do for the most part make use of the latter sort of Drugs in all their Compositions, and in the Preparations of the Prescripts of Physicians; whose bills its most certain are by some Apothecaries unfaithfully dispensed, by adding a less quantity of the ingredients, or such as will prove ineffectual, on design either to protract the course of physic, or to defame the Physician.  
And to this purpose the forementioned Doctor 
Dr Jonath. Goddards discourse, &c. pag. 37.  Goddard saith, Let a Physician writ the same Bill to several Shops, the Medicine shall be very different in the sensible qualities, scent, taste, colour, strength, pleasantness, &c. according to the goodness of the ingredients, or the cleanly and accurate making.  
I cannot let pass another testimony, which strikes home, and deeply wounds the repute of Shop Medicines; and it is from an intelligent person of this Faculty; who in the current of his discourse, saith, 
Dr Dan Cox his discourse of the Patients interest, &c. pag. 246.  This will be of high advantage to Physicians, and those Patients of theirs that live in the Country, where multitudes miscarry( and many even among the Gentry) either under bad or for want of good physic: For the Country Apothecaries not having certain vent for their Medicines, and few among them being well skilled in their Composition, to avoid charge and trouble, buy such things as they most frequently have occasion for, of London Apothecaries, who sell medicines cheaper than the others can make them; and well they may; they being either the refuse of their Shops, or fraudulently compounded; I mean, made either with old or perished Drugs, or else they leave out the most costly, which are often the most effectual and active ingredients. Now Physicians in the Country comporting with the common way of sending Prescripts to the Apothecary, especially those that concern persons of quality; which physic what effects it is like to have, I leave to others to conjecture; for my own part I will not affirm, that any are dispatched by it( though we have little reason to believe bad physic can have good effects) but of this I am most certain, that it lets many die( which is little better) whom probalby it would have restored, had it been such as the Physician presumes the Apothecary is furnished with. And but that it is contrary to my nature, and the design of this Discourse, to divulge any thing that might be a reproach to particular persons; I could name several gallant Gentlemen, exceedingly beloved in their Countrys, wherein they were very useful; who miscarried, as is verily thought( by those that are competent judges) between the neglect and baseness of the Country and City Apothecaries.  
What do you think now of the Medicine Trade? and where is your reason for that confidence you have had in the supposed safety between a Doctor and an Apothecary: do you think you are not better secured from common hazards, from the frauds, casualties, and abuses attending Medicines, under the charge of a Physician acting alone, than between two persons acting distinctly, whose different interests sway them two several ways? the Apothecary is no gainer by short and speedy Cures, wonder-working Medicines are nothing to him; that's the Doctors same and profit: but the Apothecaries advantage lies in variety of sluggish dull medicines, a tedious Cure, and a long Bill at the end of it: what is the Apothecary concerned for efficacious, brisk, generous medicines? they do him no good: fair and softly from spring to fall, and from fall to spring again, that's best for him; a Cordial is a Cordial, and a Bolus is a Bolus, good or bad, you must pay a good price: then what is the Apothecary concerned for Cures? Oh, let the Doctor look to that, that's his business; and if the Doctors were not a little infatuated, they would take a better course to effect their business. But in the mean time perhaps the Doctor goes under an ill name, and there is melancholy looks and grumblings for these slow doings: but the Apothecary comes innocently and briskly in, cheers up the drooping Patient, tells him all will be well, but he must have patience; the Doctor takes a great deal of pains, comes often, and prescribes often; and for the medicines they are, I mary are they: and now the Patient is cheered up, and pretty well satisfied; he is resolved to go on again, and try farther what can be done: so they jog on, and let them go.  
If Patients rightly and fully understood their own interest; they would force all Physicians to this duty of preparing their own medicines; from whom they might( for the reasons before mentioned) rest assured that their medicines were the best and most efficacious that Art, Care, and Money could procure and provide for them.  
But in the close of this Argument, I must clear off an objection that I have met with, framed by one of our own Faculty, and laid hold of by the Apothecaries in their Plea; urging it as a good Argument for their continuation; which is this: Physicians are mortal men and may( and ost have) in a debauched humour prescribe improper medicines, and most improportionate Doses, which an Apothecary by the experience of his Trade may discover, and repair for a rectification to the Physician next morning, when the Cloud is over with him.  
In former days there were two Collegiate Censors to overlook the Apothecaries, and view their medicines; yet all that could not prevent abuses: but aliares est, now the scene is changed and Apothecaries will have it necessary, that they supervise the Doctors medicines, pass their judgement, and be monitors over them and their prescripts. Where are you now Doctor? have you not brought your Hogs to a fair Market? by this pretention no Physicians Bill will be authentic, and of credit with the Patient, until it hath passed the Apothecaries approbation: and indeed the reliance on Apothecaries is arrived thus far already, that the Patient commonly asks the Apothecary's opinion concerning the Doctors abilities; whether he prescribes well or not: if he says well, 'tis well: if otherwise, turn out. The objection seems fair at first sight, and promiseth weight; but being put into the balance with the casualties, sophistications, and daily hazards that attend the dispensing and distributing Shop Medicines, will be found much too light, and these to preponderate, as being of greater moment, and more frequently occurring. To come close to the point then, I grant you the objection thus far, that it is possible a Physician may be overseen in drink, and commit such an error as is alleged: but what then? this is not enough to cashier all Physicians from the management and charge of medicines: you must prove also, that the Apothecaries and their Servants are never debauched, never overseen, nor mistaken, never abuse a Physicians Prescript; but are always exact, sober, careful, and honest; when you have proved this, your objection is good, and carries force with it. But look back upon what is already said and proved, and you find little of this: and farther to counterpoise this objection, turn to the same Author that was pleased to dally with you, and see what he says in another place:( but take notice, it was this Gentleman that whipped some of your Apothecaries( the Authors of 
A Lash for Le● Talianis.  that scurrilons Libel, Lex Talionis) for their sauciness towards Physicians, their quondam Masters; and admonished the rest pretty smartly) his words are these: The humour of a Tradesman to play the 
The accomplished Physician, &c. p. 82.  Gentleman is too visible in many Apothecaries, who pass their time either Physician like in visiting Patients, or rendering themselves to the recreations of the times, wherein they are plentifully supported by the revenue of their Shop, which their men manage, according to the idleness and negligence Servants are all addicted to in the absence of their Masters: whence supposing a prescription to be erroneously or dangerously prepared, and the Patient upon the taking of it surprised with urgent symptoms, or yield to his last fate; it shall not be divulged to you, the man that made up the medicine was a raw apprentice, or had been drinking drunk, whilst the Master was breathing his Nag in hid Park; in all which transaction, its the Physician that must father the ill success. Now the objection is enervated and made invalid by him that offered it: and since there are such Apothecaries and such Servants; may not a sober Physician be afraid of trusting his prescripts in such hands, and venture the life of his Patient at these hazards? and may not the Patient be afraid, although he have an able and careful Physician, that the Apothecary may be negligent? and if he be a careful man when he is in his Shop; yet his Servants may be negligent, heedless, and mistake when he is abroad. How then must the Patient be secured, from the dangers and hazards that commonly attend medicines? I know no better, nor other way, but by making choice of such a Physician that is not addicted to intemperance and debauchery, that is not a tippler and Jovial Companion, one that diligently follows his business, that seriously and soberly performs the whole duty of his employment, that trusts none in the choice of his ingredients, in dispensing, weighing, preparing, and compounding, but all done under his eye, and in some nice things by his own hand: and then I think in all reason he is as likely to avoid all miscarriages and mistakes in medicines, as it is possible for man to do; and much more likely than tradesman and their Servants, in a perfunctory way of managing a Shop Trade; that contrive how business may soonest and easiest be dispatched, and turn to the best account for present gain. And so I dismiss the Patients interest in point of safety, and come to his other concern and advantage in the matter of profit.  
This thing called profit is the general concern of the world, that all people harken after, and design for; and some to save their purse will venture their life: this profit perhaps may prove the strongest argument in the Book to persuade. Security is not comparable to profit with a great many; they had rather hazard their lives with a chemical empiric, a quacking Apothecary, or any illiterate fellow that pretends to physic; hoping thereby to save charges, and cousin the Doctor of his Fees: and thus they cheat themselves, and are cheated by others. But to prevent such imprudent hazardous courses, and to lessen the charge of physic; the following discourse will inform you.  
That a course of physic or fit of sickness will be less chargeable to the Patient, when both advice and physic depend upon the Physician; than when divided, and the charge distinct between two persons, appears plainly, if we consider,  
First, That the lessening of charge in all affairs 
1. Argument.  is, by substracting and abating the number of persons that are to be employed and maintained in that business: If one can manage it well and sufficiently, in vain is the expense to keep two upon such an employ; especially if two Families must be maintained out of it, and depend thereon; the charge then must needs be doubled and advanced high. For, admit both be honest, yet both must live upon it, gain sufficiently, and raise an estate for their Children: if they be not honest, but covetously gripping, and plotting how to gain most; such that make a prey of Patients, and are Purse-suckers: you may easily imagine then, that it is cheaper to be defrauded by one than by two; and it is better to satisfy the thirst of lucre in one, than in two persons: hence we may affirm as an undoubted truth, that it is much cheaper, and more saving for the Purse, to retain a Physician alone; than a Physician and an Apothecary together, whether honest, or dishonest.  
That this is a more chargeable and costly way, of taking physic from two persons; appears in that Patients fall often into such a Physician and Apothecaries hands, as combine together to promote each others interest. The Apothecary then makes it his business to commend and procure Patients to this able Doctor: This excellent Doctor to retaliate, makes him amends, by plying the Patient with good store, or rather much store of physic: Who if he come three or four times a day, writes new 
Dr C. T. in his Answer to a Letter concerning the practise of physic in England.  Bills for the Apothecary; compound Glisters, rich cordial Juleps, Bolus's, Pearl, Bezoar, and Gold; words that signify very much in augmenting the sum, at the foot of the account in an Apothecaries Bill, &c. And Physicians that thus incline to gratify and please Apothecaries, are called by them good Apothecaries Physicians; and if they be not so, then they shall not be good Doctors in their mouths; but the Apothecary will give him a lift if he can; at least, he will never cause him to be sent for again to this, nor any other Patient he can persuade; but some good Apothecaries Physician, or his own Covenant Physician must be the man. Now this good Apothecaries Physician, they describe by his frequent though 
Dr Merrets View of the frauds and abuses committed by Apothecaries, &c. pag. 15.  needless visits; but especially the multitude of his Bills; by his visiting twice a day or oftener( 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 Cupboard and Window 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. If it be so( as these Authors affirm) may we not justly suspect, when Physicians have a great voice and commendation amongst Apothecaries, that they are Apothecaries good Physicians, not Patients good Physicians; and may we not well suspect that the great estates, and great names gotten by some Physicians did arise from hence, such artifices and combinations: and to confirm this rational belief, turn over their file of Bills, you will find there nothing great, but here and there great ignorance; you will there see such pitiful recipes and repetitions of them; that he which hath waded out of the mire of this common delusion, may bless himself; stand and admire that a learned profound Art and honourable Profession should so strangely be abused; and the people dote so much to their great disadvantage and loss, and flock after( like silly Sheep) such grand Impostors: but the people have been, and are deceived after this manner: What Doctor shall I have? says the sick man; ask the Apothecary, says another, he is most likely to tell you, who is an able Physician, and who you had best to sand for: then comes the Apothecary and adviseth to his Covenant Physician, or if he be not approved of; then some one else, as good as he, that knows how the game must be played, to get the Apothecaries good word and applause, and that will be gainful to him both now and hereafter; and by this Compass the Physician steers his course. Hence it is, that the most industrious and expert Physician practising with most excellent Medicines prepared by himself, is cried down by all Apothecaries, and shall never be called to a Patient if they can keep him out; suggesting( very basely) that he is this or that; though he be a man of far greater merit and worth, in this Profession; able to out reason and out do a score of such Apothecary Doctors.  
This frequent juggling between Physicians and Apothecaries to promote the craft of physic, I find confirmed by a late Writer before mentioned. Physicians all, or most, being tied to particular Apothecaries, 
The accomplished Physician, &c. p. 74  prescribe their Bills in terms so obscure, that they force all chance Patients to repair to their own Apothecaries, pretending a particular secret, which only they have the Key to unlock; whereas in effect its no other than the commonest of Medicines, disguised under an unusual name, on design to direct you to an Apothecary, between whom and the Physician there is a private compact of going snips, out of the most unreasonable rates of the said Medicines, wherein if you seek a redress by showing the Bill to the Doctor, he shall most religiously aver, its the cheapest he ever red. You see here what great regard is had to the Patient all this while; what inventions found out and care taken to milk his Purse: O these are industrious men in physic! such as the people put great confidence in! and to leave these men is as much as their lives are worth: A Doctor and Apothecary! can physic be put into an honester and cheaper way? well go on then, per me licet; why should not every one have their fancy, if they pay for it. What I have here written is not the design of my brain to asperse, but I give you the testimony( besides my sentiment) of learned Doctors, well reputed in this Faculty, now alive and practising in this City, that have been conversant with Apothecaries much longer than myself, and know very well the intrigues of this practise. For my own part I was a Prescriber of Medicines to the Shops, for the first 8 or 9 years of my practise, and did understand something in that time which made me desert them: but for this ten years or upwards I have used the Medicines of my own Preparation; so that having tried both ways of practise, I may give in my verdict too, what I know of them both, and let every one make choice of which they please.  
But to proceed, if you come to an Apothecaries Shop, for an ounce of Mithridate, diascord, or London Treacle, you may have it perhaps too cheap, but not too good; for the former old price is beaten down by underselling one another, to gain custom to the Shop: but you must know the medicine is according to the price; so that nothing is got by your cheap penny-worth.( diascord was found by the Censors in their search, made only of 
Dr Merrets View of the frauds and abuses committed by Apothecaries, &c. pag. 9.  Honey and Bolearmeniac.) Yet this cheap sophisticate Medicine, when you come to pay for it in a Physicians Prescript, it will then cost you six times so much, perhaps ten times so much, mixed in Bolus's and Potions: O the recipes are very gainful, and when the Apothecary parts with these, the best stake in the hedge is gone: no body can tell the price of a Recipe; the quintessence of the Doctors learning is there, and the Apothecary will scorn to undervalue it now, when it is epitomized and reduced into a Recipe( though at another time Mr. Doctor is but so and so with him) I but diascord now is diascord indeed; you shall not buy it now for three pence an ounce, as you fetched it the other day at the Shop: when a Dram or two is mixed with as much Conserve of Roses or White lilies secundum Artem, it is a dormitive Bolus then; a thing which you do not understand; 'tis above the sphere of vulgar capacities: Here is Art, and here is the mystery of the Trade; this is our gain, and we are necessary appendents to physic; opiserque per orbem dicor, says Mr. Apothecary; idest, the Doctor can do nothing without us. Now suppose( excepting the Doctors Fee) the price of this Bolus be but half a Crown: you'l say that is not much for a good Medicine by advice: I'll reckon it to you, then judge if you be not used kindly: two pence for the diascord and Conserve, and seven groats for mixing secundum Artem, that's just half a Crown; cheap enough! but I find a college Doctor complaining of the chargeableness of physic, in this Apothecary way of practise, and says; The charge of it is often insupportable, as well as unconscionable 
Dr C. T. his Answer to a Letter &c. p. 18.  and uncharitable; we many times prescribe a dram of Treacle worth two pence to a poor neighbour out of charity; the Apothecary makes him pay half a Crown for a Cordial Bolus. There are of us, have retrieved some of our Prescriptions, and the Apothecaries Bills upon them, you will perhaps be amazed when I tell you; that where a Physician hath without a Fee prescribed something worth six pence; because it was made into twenty four Pills, there was so many shillings paid to the Apothecary upon his Bill for it; but I will give you no more accounts of this kind now, you may in good time see store of them, upon proofs beyond denial. I perceive now by these ugly hints, there is Rods in piss; and 'tis like there may come a day of reckoning for such faults. However in the mean time, we vulgar will not believe, but this Apothecary way is the cheapest and best way of Physicking.  
Another Doctor of the college, a Practiser for 30 years with Apothecaries, complains after the same rate: Suppose a Physician hath prescribed a 
Dr Merret in his view &c p. 16.  pint of Julep, &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 his Bill for every single potion or draft, as he ought the whole pint; so that by this art he gains four times as much for the whole medicine, as in conscience he ought; and a Julep which cost him six pence, will be ranted at ten, twelve or more shillings, &c, so he goes on setting forth their unreasonable prices and profit by Physicians Prescripts. I find now that this Apothecary Trade is a very thriving, gainful Trade; and the Patients Trade is a very doleful losing Trade, and very liable to Cheats. It is much better to be an Apothecary than a Patient; and it is much cheaper to take physic from a Doctors hand, than from his hand-writing. These recipes I see are costly things: sure they were intended only for Ladies and great persons; that must be attended with Physicians and Apothecaries both; that must die in state. I cannot see how other people can well bear this charge: but we are all grown so proud now, that if it be the fashion for the great ones to have a Recipe Doctor, we vulgar will have a Recipe Doctor too, what ever it cost us. We will have all the Formalities of physic though we die for it( and like enough, all casualties and deceits considered which attend that practise.) But let us examine these high priced recipes a little, and see the great worth of them; because there is great talk, and a great bustle about them: but now you talk of worth, they must be valued by what they cost, as for intrinsic worth let that pass, meddle not there: Now imagine we were at a file of Bills.  
This Recipe cost the Patient ten shillings Fee, because he was but a Doctor of little practise, not cried up, and that was fair for him. As for the Apothecary you may imagine( by what goes before) that he will be no loser by it; though he gets( if you will believe it) but a small inconsiderable profit. Here's another cost a Guiny( besides the mans life) this was a great Doctor's, one of the eminentest in the Town, a man of very great practise, that you must wait two hours before you can speak with him, except you give his man a couple of shillings; this must needs be an able man, that the people crowd after, much spoken of, and much approved by his Apothecary, who gets four or five hundred pounds per annum by this Doctor's practise: an excellent Apothecary Doctor! he deserved a piece very gallantly. But here is a Recipe cost 3 Guynies; this was the result of a consultation, for a person of quality, a beloved Child, Wife, or Husband, or some rich fellow that would die more ●onourably than ever he had lived: Here's another golden Recipe of the same price, for the same Patient that evening, a Cordial dormitive Bolus: Truly this was very cordial physic( to the Physicians) there was so much Gold about it: Here is three or four more recipes for the same Patient, that smells of extracted Gold very precious: but the last of them was the highest Shop Cordial that could be made: So that you may imagine what condition the Patient was in when the Physicians took their leave: Surely, these recipes are very fine things, they are so costly: but who pays the Apothecary all this while? O! the Executor pays him, that is to be done after the Funeral conclusion: there's a lump of money indeed to be received! perhaps this man gets more after the Patients death, than three Doctors in his life time; it often falls out so( without jesting.) Give me leave to quote an Author now, something pertinent to our purpose( without reflection upon the persons name) not as a parallel example to our Discourse in the particulars; but only to let you know upon proof, that the medicine trade goes beyond the medical Art, in extracting Gold and Silver very wonderfully.  

Dr C. T. in his Answer to a Letter concerning the practise of physic in England. pag 46.  It is some years since, when Doctor Pursean, Doctor Bates, and myself, for three or four weeks attendance on a person of quality, received in Fees three or four and thirty pounds; they being consulters sometimes only; and I ordinary Physician had more than half of that sum: I believe myself, the person was well, and well satisfied, until the Apothecaries Bill was brought in; but then I was called to the ungrateful work of judging upon the prices of it; I was a little started to find the sum total five and fifty pounds; and I do assure you I speak moderately, when I say, if he were paid it, his gain was as much as the three Physicians received; but it was an Apothecary of the Patients own choice, and I had nothing to answer for it. This is not fair play, Mr. Apothecary, that you should get more than three Doctors: yours is a cunning Trade indeed; and I do not so much wonder now, that so many Apothecaries set up, since it is such a gainful Trade and honest income, of eighty and ninety per Cent.  
You see how cheap the taking of physic is with a Physician and Apothecary together: let us now inquire farther, if any money can be saved by applying to a Practising Apothecary, one that will physic you by his own advice, and save you the charge of Fees( if you think good to believe it.) To wave their inability to practise, and the dangerous consequences that attend their bold quacking( 
accomplished phies. pag. 45, 46 47, 48.  as many fatal actions do testify, and some mentioned by a late Writer) I shall speak only as to the Patients profit, chiefly aimed at by them that apply to these tradesman in physic for their assistance. Some think it a notable convenience to have recourse to an Apothecaries Shop, upon small occasions for medicines, without the charge of a Physicians advice and Prescript. To this I say, the convenience is not what people imagine, and no charge saved thereby; if we suppose instead thereof, Physicians to be furnished with necessary complete Medicines for all occasions, as I have urged that duty upon them: is it not then as convenient? will it not then be as cheap? will not your medicines be far better? will it not be more safe and expeditious for your help and relief, to come or sand to the Physician for his Medicines, who for his own reputation and special interest( as is fully proved pag. 53.) will give you the best medicine or medicines faithfully and effectually prepared for your purpose, and also advice you how to use them for the best advantage, at as cheap a rate, as at the Apothecaries; yes much cheaper and more advantageous, if you consider the ability of the Physician above the Apothecary; and the rational probability of his medicines, to be much better and more efficacious; both which, facilitate and expedite a cure, or check an emergent grievance, which are to be reckoned in the account of Costs, as a great advantage above the Shop Medicines and Shop Master: So that the Physicians Repository, or Closet accommodation, is as ready, as cheap or cheaper, and as commodious to repair to, as the Apothecaries Shop, only the one stands in view, the other private, yet easy enough to be known, when the custom shall be made general: and it is as ready a way, and easy for the Physician, to bid his man give the Patient such a Medicine, as to writ a Recipe to the Apothecary. That people are much deluded, in thinking they save charges, by applying to a practising Apothecary, is set forth by the foregoing Author from pag. 65. to 73. and it 
Accomp. Physician.  is but reason they should pay notably for their folly. Dr. Merret does caution the same: but populus vult decipi: and if people will not be admonished, let them fall into the cheat without pity. And at how easy rates they practise, many of their 
Dr Merrets view, &c. pag. 49.  Bills brought and complained of to our college witness, wherein upon a slight disease five pounds have been demanded for four days practise. And I have heard one of them brag, that he commonly had from 20 to an hundred pounds, besides presents, for cure of a Clap( as they call it) which might have been more speedily and securely performed for a manifold lesser sum. If you come as a Customer to the Shop, and ask for an ordinary known Shop Medicine; you shall have it for an ordinary price: but when you come as a Patient, take his advice, and such medicines from him that you know not; then you shall pay roundly for both; Counsel as well as physic.  
I might enlarge here upon this point, but I will pass over much, to finish this Paragraph briefly. I appeal now to all that are unbiased and impartial; and let every one of common reason judge, whether it be not a much cheaper and a more frugal way, to apply to a Physician alone, furnished with honest good medicines( as it is his interest) than to a Physician and Apothecary, or to an Apothecary alone: if you say we cannot be assured that a Physician acting alone, deals honestly and constionably with us: then I reply to you again; nor can you be assured that a Physician and his Apothecary deals honestly with you: 'tis the same uncertainty here as there, and rather the more hazardous for the reasons aforesaid. And since honesty is so hard to find, and dishonesty so difficult to discover,( but you must venture:) then I think it is more prudent, and cheaper to venture upon one Knave,( supposing so) than two: since both must be gainers; one at a time is enough to cousin you. And if you compare a practising Apothecary alone, with a Physician alone: have you not more reason to conside in and believe the latter( legally called thereto, and well qualified) that he will be honester and more reasonable in his dealing than the former, whose very undertaking is a dishonest and an unjust way of living: his presumptuous usurped practise is a constant cheating of Physicians, who gave him his Trade: then in all reasonable probability he will not stick to cheat Patients, from whom there is no such obligation. He that will be so perfidious and ungrateful( manifestly in the sight of the world) to him that set him up; will not boggle to cheat a silly Patient, that cannot detect him: and therefore let none be so vain and foolish to say of a practising Apothecary that he is an honest man; for, to be honest and practise, are incompatible and a contradiction. If you would know more of this Practising Apothecary, you will find him described in a Tract of mine( amongst the number of other Practisers) put forth about three 
Medicus Absolutus.  years since; where he stands in his colours, from pag. 50. to 64.  
Secondly, Charge and Cost is abated, by contracting and lessening the number or quantity of materials, to be employed and used in the performance of any work; and so è contra: and thus it is in the different Practices and controversy in hand. The multiplying of medicines in the Prescribing practise to Apothecaries, does much increase the charge of physic, above that of the Physician alone with his Medicines: First, in regard the Prescriber is urged and tempted to this unnecessary accumulation, by the Apothecary for his profit, and to please him( as appears plainly in pag. 63) Secondly, the Shop Medicines are slugglish, inefficacious, and unfaithfully made( as appears p. 55, 56) therefore in reason, you must allow them more in number, and more often to be repeated( although the Physician be honest to his Patient) before they can effect any thing to the purpose aimed at.  
But the Physician that is Pharmacopoeian to himself, that prepares Medicines faithfully and exquisitely; does not use half that number of Medicines: he delights not in the superfluous variety and number of slight medicines; but he aims at a few choice and efficacious ones, to perform such operations that nature requires for her assistance; and those are not many: and knowing that nature must be relieved by such and such an operation; and having well tried medicines to perform those intentions, he prosecutes them with his approved certain medicines; and is not varying at every turn, nor coining new medicines every day, to cheat the Patient into a belief, that here is not able contrivances, and extraordinary Art used; but sticks close to two 
{αβγδ}. Aph. 52. Sect. 2.  or three good medicines that the case requires; and plys his Patient with them in due order and rational method, until nature be relieved, or that he be well satisfied of the contumacy of the disease resisting and contemning those medicines, or a difficult heteroclital propriety of body, enforcing him to change his medicines; which is not presently to be done, but after some considerable time of trial; remembering herein that Aphorism of Hippocrates, where he cautions you not to be fickle and lightly to change medicines; if upon good grounds and a well informed judgement, you have instituted your course. So that a Physician by this fixed rational way of proceeding, with well experienced medicines of his own elaborate preparation, that he can confided in and rely on; he waits with patience, expecting the full trial of their operations and success; having no sinister dishonest ends to tempt him aside( as appears pag. 52, 53) to make a bustle with variety of medicines, thereby to cause frequent visits, for multiplying his own Fees, and to advantage an Apothecary by accumulating medicines unnecessarily: but he labours to get same to his own medicines( wherein lies his profit and delight) and therefore puts them upon the full trial and extent of their power; which cannot be, if he whiffle to and fro, chop and change; but keeps a steady course, if no accident fall out to disturb him; and it is his great concern, that no medicine be baffied or defamed, in the operation or intended effect; but if that will perform the work, let it have the deserved credit; and then not to change or alter, will redound highly to the Physicians advantage, and praise of such medicines; frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora.  
Thirdly, Much attendance in any affair, augments the charge: So is it in the Prescribing practise; daily and often visits, requires frequent rewards: and lest the Patient should think the Doctor does not deserve his Fee, for only looking on him; he seldom takes his leave but he puts the Patient to the cost of another Recipe( though needless) in exchange for his Accipe; and then the Apothecary is pleased too, into the bargain; and by this he shall merit the Title of a very careful Doctor, and have his good word to back him, and help him at a dead lift, if suddenly or unexpectedly the Patient makes his exit into terra incognita. And truly it is something necessary that this Doctor who often deals with excogitated new minted medicines pro re nata; such as he never tried, but are recommended to him by this or that Author, in parallel cases; or are the product of his own Pha●sie and probability, adapted to the present syndrom of indications; all which is but a probable adventure, doubtful, and no certainty or confidence, until trial puts you out of fear. It is necessary then the Doctor should attend the event of these uncertain medicines, which often proves unexpected; and therefore he must be ready, he must be at hand, to correct what happens amiss, and to cast about for another invention, if this fails: but put the case this Doctor does use a certain medicine, that he hath often tried; yet if he have not a certain, honest, skilful Apothecary, his medicine may fail him: and if he chance to have such a certain Apothecary; yet if he have not a certain, understanding, careful Apothecaries Boy, his tried good medicine, may very likely Deceive him: therefore he must always be at the heels of his medicine, to know what operation and what success; and therefore this Doctor knocks at the door, with doubtful and timorous thoughts( as there is reason for it) except he be as bold as blind Bayard: and for this his daily care, he must have daily Fees, which makes a course of physic too chargeable for some Patients: and not only so; but the Apothecary must be paid for his kind visits too, but those are commonly crowded into the price of medicines; that although you take no notice of it, yet your Purse feels it; and now you may account yourself as at the charge of two Doctors. But è contra, that Physician which practiseth with the medicines of his own preparation; made choice of the ingredients, saw their due ordering and managing of them into medicine; that hath often proved, meliorated,& knows well the certainty of their operation; dares trust his medicines, and appoint them confidently with great safety( in chronic diseases) although he be an hundred miles distant: and this I have done frequently with good success; and in such cases, when the Physicians of their Country, that have had the advantage of daily visiting and observing all circumstances attending the Disease, and the operations of their medicines, could effect nothing: as letters of intercourse, that lie by me, can testify. And I doubt not but other Physicians, who use their own medicines can say the like; that they can trust their medicines in their absence from the Patient; and practise with such a freedom and safety, without a constant attendance: and therefore I must affirm, it is much better and safer, that the Physician constantly and severely attend the medicine, rather than the Patient, if he cannot attend both.  
Fourthly, Expedition and a quick performance of 
4. Argument.  any work, is reckoned and accounted in the profit; by how much sooner the business is effected, so much charge is abated. And thus it is in our case in hand: a Pharmacopoeian Physician acting alone, as he is more able and expert in curing above the Apothecary Doctor; so also his medicines are more efficacious and more certain in their operations, than the Shop Medicines( proved pag. 51, 52, 53.) from whence in all reason, cures will be effected more expeditiously and sooner. Besides his interest puts him on to a speedy relief of the Patient: but the Apothecaries interest does not spur him on to such hasty and expeditious performances( proved pag. 57. 58.) therefore the business of curing in all probability and reason, moves much slower in the hands of two persons than in one; although it be against the Proverb; that many hands make light work; but in this case we may fear slight work, and slow work.  
Now by what hath been said, you may easily imagine how the great charge of physic may be abated; and which is the cheapest course and most frugal way; and not inferior to any other; but excelling also any other in safety, and in what may be accounted excellent in physic. And so I pass on to the next considerable enforcement of this duty of preparing Medicines by Physicians; and 
3. Enforcement.  that ariseth from the benefits that accrue to themselves.  
The advantages that redound to the Professors from their industry in the preparation of various medicines are: First, a familiar acquaintance with, and knowledge of the materia medica: that all the ingredients of Medicines, Drugs, or what else appertains to, or enters their composition, may not be strangers to them; but prima fancy upon sight thereof, and with a discerning eye, they may distinguish rightly one kind from another; as also accurately the various differences of the same species in point of goodness: whereby they may be able to make a true election and choice, of the good and finest; from the degenerate mean sort, ungarbled, decayed by long keeping or otherwise damaged; which is a very considerable matter, and of great importance in order to curing: for, if the ingredients of a medicine be not thus judiciously and honestly chosen, there cannot reasonably be expected a good success from medicines otherwise made; since every thing operates quantum in se,& pro viribus, according to the degree of its goodness or pravity. And father, it derogates much from the skill and completeness of any Artist, not to know upon sight and appearance, all the instruments and materials that belong to his Art: and therefore it must needs be a great deficiency in a Physician, and it is very absurd, that he should appoint such things for his Patient, to which he is a stranger, and knows them not when he sees them.  
Secondly, Hereby not only the face and external 
Second advantage.  characters of the ingredients of medicines are known, but also by their several preparations and union this with that, diversiy varied; many secret properties are discovered, simply as in themselves and genuine nature; and relatively or respectively as they are yoked and compounded variously with one another: which most requisite and necessary knowledge is lost, if the Physician be not an operator in Medicines. For all the Philosophical artificial knowledge we have of Medicines, comes in this way,( that which merely results from probation in diseases, is empyrical) and this is the groundwork and foundation upon which medicines are designed and neatly framed. And that Physician who spends some time in Pharmacy, shall find more satisfaction in seeing a medicine duly prepared and compounded once, than in reading of it a twelve month: nor can the true proportion and quantity of each ingredient exactly be known, suiting with the design and form of the medicine, by study and guessing, but by proofs and trials in making. From hence the particular properties and differing qualities of each ingredient will more plainly and fully be discovered in their several preparations, corrections, defaecations, extractions, analytical resolutions, &c. here you may learn and know the various results from different commixtures: the confict and discrepancy of some, the amity and embraces of others; the rejection and incoibility of some; but reducible into composition by fit mediums and artificial conjunction. And without this experimental knowledge, the forming and adapting medicines pro re nata for several cases, is so blind an adventure, that a Physician may well blushy at his ignorance, and always fear his misfortunes, in running amongst dangers without a guide. For by the preparation of medicinal ingredients various ways, and by divers Commixtures of this with that, observing their several results and effects upon different associations and preparations; we then establish a certain complete knowledge upon such experiments; which surely guides us in the same for the future, as also directs us in collateral trials, and processes of affinity. Then ought we not to trust fallacious tradition and the uncertain reports of Authors( which deceives many and often) but by viewing, handling, tasting, smelling, and such like examinations throughout the process of the more exquisite and chemical preparations; a sensible and full satisfaction in the different properties of the materia medica is gained: which great advantages and opportunities of knowledge, a traditional prescribing Physician or Apothecary Doctor, gives away to his operator or Apothecary; who being not capable, and to whom it does not belong as his business to make such nice observations, but hoc agere, according to his prescript: much knowledge thereby perisheth, and great opportunities of improvement are lost; and such a Physician always sticks in the mire of doubts and uncertainties: and out of 40 or 50 years practise he shall raise but a small stock of a complete certain knowledge. If it be so, as true it is: then why Physicians should neglect these great offers of improvement, and advancement of their knowledge in the most intricate and weightiest part of this Science; deserting the ancient constitution and true practise of physic, the most safe and rational, upon which this Art is founded and built, exchanging for the present fashion of prescribing and filing Bills with Apothecaries; a late unhappy innovation, unwarily and unreasonably introduced, of pernicious consequents to this Science, the Professors, and the Sick; is to me, and may be to all others a wonder.  
Thirdly, that he may render a more rational and 
3. Advantage.  better account of diseases, and their true manner of curing; enabling him thereby to design and adapt medicines more knowingly and certainly to the nature of any Disease, than it is possible for any other to do. A Physicians knowledge is not only improved in Pharmacy, by Pharmaceutick Experiments, and this Art of medicinal preparations( chemical chiefly) restrained only to the artificial making of medicines, and the advantages limited here; but is very extensive and assistant through the whole Science of physic; becomes very useful and auxiliary to a Physician, in facilitating his disquisition, and improving his knowledge in the nature of diseases; discovering their several properties and differences( as is set forth in pag. 9, 10, 11, 12.) and confirming his judgement in their manner of curing. For example, if a man be gripped in his stomach or belly, provoking a flux, and this is quieted and checked by exhibiting of oculi cancrorum, corallium, or such like: it is concluded rationally, that a luxuriant acidity did cause those punctures and laxitive motions, because these concretes do satiate and drink up all acidities by virtue of their Alkaly: now here was a right adaptation of medicine to the morbific cause, proved by the genuine property of the remedy; and this alkalisate property was first discovered by preparation and trials; mixing alkalies with acids, the acidity is destroyed, that punging quality extinct, and the liquour becomes blunt and insipid as water; and as it is thus in this particular, so likewise in many other medicines; the {αβγδ} of their virtues and operations are not truly known and fathomed, but by trials in the laboratory, which discovers many of their single properties, their result in mixture, and their manner of opposing and allaying Diseases. It is not sufficient praise that a Physician does cure( one that is no Physician, does that by chance and sometimes) but that he be able to give a good rational account how he cures; which he cannot do if he have not a perspective complete knowledge of the medicine, collated with the nature of the Disease,( gained as aforesaid) else he is like an empiric, and he derogates from his Title of Doctor, and the dignity of this Profession.  
Fourthly, That he may improve his knowledge by practise, in making certain observations upon medicines after operation, whether successful, frustraneous, or of ill consequence: he may then upon good grounds commend, excuse, or condemn any medicines( which a Prescriber cannot) being privy to all things appertaining thereto, the making as well as the designment: so that all things being naked before him, nothing hinders or is doubtful, but he may give a true account of the failure or success, and where it ought to be imputed. But he that practiseth with unknown Shop Medicines, may be glad of his fortunate success, yet knows not what to praise, except God Almighty: and if the contrary happen he shall not be satisfied where the fault was; whether in the medicine that was ill made, or in himself that designed it; or idiosyncratical propriety of the Patient; contumacy of the disease, or intervening accidents; nor can he note that an observation for the future: So that he which practiseth thus at hap hazard, who cannot make a true observation to direct or warn him for the future; is always a young Practiser, and a new beginner after 30 or 40 years blundering in physic; nor can he be relied on, or truly accounted as an able, experienced, old Physician: but this character of an old Practiser goes far in the opinion of most people, as a safe man to trust their lives with; when indeed most commonly he is but such a Tyro or Novice as I have described; and an industrious Pharmacopoeian Physician rightly principled, of seven years practise, is well able to be his Master.  
Fifthly, That he may acquire and purchase to himself, far better and more excellent medicines than those of the Shops, or other common traditional medicines; which will most deservedly raise his famed and reputation, and render him more serviceable and more acceptable to his Patients, than all his learning besides: what does the Physicians great notional learning signify to the Patient, if the medicine be not improved and bettered by it? 'tis medicine that cures; and he that gains the best medicines shall do the greatest cures, and out do all other learning whatsoever: and therefore a fore-named Author, very discreetly encouraging Physicians to the preparation of their Medicines, saith; When judicious Physicians come to be more familiarly 
Dr Jonath. Goddards discourse, &c. pag. 35.  acquainted with the materials of medicaments, and also to experiment and observe operations and processes upon them; especially the more accurate and artificial, as in chemical Preparations; they will discover the most advantageous ways of preparation, and the most rational proporations in order to composition; and come to contrive and invent new medicaments, exceeding others in their kinds, and improve, beyond what they can imagine of themselves, before they have entred this way, and what they can ever otherwise attain; as some learned and ingenious Physicians have done. Nor can it be denied, that in this course, some empirics have stumbled upon very considerable and effectual medicaments, wherewith in some particular cases they have outdone learned Physicians; and by the advantage of making their own medicaments, they bear up and will do, till they be out done in the same kind by such Physician. Now if empirics sometimes can outdo learned Physicians, by a rude tractation of ingredients, wanting Philosophical helps to guide and led them in their invention and facture of medicines; what then may not a learned Physician completely qualified do, when he comes to operate, assisted by the best rules of Art? and what great improvements may we not expect in medicines, when all the learned Professors shall set upon this work? till then the practise of physic( generally) will be but mean and common; Physicians too often and shamefully baffled with Diseases, and great cures very scarce.  
Sixthly, That he may preserve the Arcana's of his Art from being profaned; and be absolute Master of his own labours and secrets, secure from any pilfering or undermining person. The Professors then will be in a good capacity to oblige and gratify each other in the communication of secrets: or after death to bequeath to some next Relation, that in duty he is bound to provide for; and perhaps may stand in need of such a help: So that having thus the free disposal, the complete and full benefit of his labour, that no pains can be lost or alienated from him; this cannot but be a great encouragement and spur to industry, and every ingenious Professor will then exert his power strenuously, and be very diligent in operations, to make himself Mister of something that's rare and egregiously excellent. What encouragement is there? and who will labour hard to find out an excellent secret, that upon the use thereof, another shall rob him of it? I think there are few so good natured, that will take any extraordinary pains, to furnish an Apothecary with such medicines; and therefore it may be a wonder, when any but common medicines come to their files: and this is one main reason why Physicians do not take pains to improve medicines as they might and could do, but content themselves with common traditional medicines, and jog on daily in the same beaten road.  
Seventhly, That he may secure his own reputation, and not expose it to the mercy of others; who either for saving cost, sparing pains, want of skill, care, and diligence, in making his Prescripts exactly( as one of these too often falls out) may render him unfortunate, and defeat him in success: and therefore says a Doctor before mentioned, as yet entangled in the prescribing mode, but very probably upon deserting it, says; Our Patients lives 
Dr C. T. his Answer to a Letter &c. p. 18.  and our credits, are too often in the power of an ignorant confident Fool, or an idle careless Boy. Since then the reputation of a Physician is daily hazarded, and lies liable to pay for the miscarriages of medicines( although the fault be anothers) it behoves him then to have an especial care and regard to the medicine, and manage this business himself; which puts him out of fear and doubt of any such casualties or abuse of medicines, and then he will practise with great confidence and boldness; hoping his success will be answerable to his labour and endeavours, and the excellency of his medicines.  
Eightly, Physicians being completely furnished with medicines for all emergent occasions, and free for all to resort thither; they will be rewarded for this laudable and industrious undertaking, by a full employment: for such people of the lower rank, who apply now to Apothecaries, and Quacks for cheapness( as they suppose) will then more willingly resort to able Physitians for their good medicines, when they may have them at a reasonable price, and therewith the Doctors advice without a fee. Which a physician may well do, and with as much ease to himself, as talk over an urinal for a groat. None then( I think) that have Common reason, will decline an able Physicians counsel, with the choicest medicines he can provide for his own practise; to go to a Shop, or any empiric for their common sale medicines; when they may have the one as cheap as the other; and much cheaper, if they compare the goodness of the one with the other, and what is likely to be the result of each: for if you trifle every day with a twelve penny sophisticate medicine, or not well designed, and effect little or nothing( perhaps mischief) and you linger on under your infirmities; you cannot say this is a cheap saving course, but expensive in time and money. When people shall be made sensible of this, they will not be so fond of an Apothecaries Shop, nor foolishly harken after every cheating empiric, that pretends to physic; but apply generally to the honest and able Physician: whose reputation is an engagement sufficient to assure them of faithful and just dealing, at a cheaper rate than any of these can really perform, what ever they may promise or pretend, to draw you in.  
Ninthly, This full employment will beget a full increase of knowledge, in all kinds of diseases; and then the Physician shall have plentiful satisfaction in the frequent and full trials of his medicines: and his daily observations of them in their operations and successses upon several bodies will enable him thereby to replenish his store successively, with medicines of the same design, but of greater improvement, and meliorated to a higher gradation: whereby( and the only way) physic in a short time will rise to a high pitch of perfection, to the great satisfaction and applause of all people: but as yet, and 'tis the unhappiness of this Age, that many ingenious and hopeful Physicians are stopped in their improvements; and their parts likely to decay and whither, for want of encouragement, and a good employment to exercise and increase their endowments, and show their abilities of acquirement: But alas, what for practising Apothecaries, and all sorts of Quacks that are shamefully permitted every where; the legitimate Physician is sadly robbed of his practise, that which should improve and encourage him: and this is not only an injury to the Professors, but much redounds to the prejudice of all people, if they rightly knew their own interest; which is to maintain and encourage the learned industrious Physician, who only is in a true capacity, and able to serve them.  
Tenthly, Physicians practising with their own shall have good opportunities, and be in a better capacity to be charitable: First, to such as are very indigent, and have no money to bestow for their relief: Secondly, to such who can go no higher than barely to satisfy what their medicines cost: and this a Physician may freely and cordially do, being accommodated with good medicines, and animated to good works, by an encouraging full employment that may enable him to be generous and bountiful, doing good to all conditions of people, for God's sake, as well as for his own.  
Having now given you a fair prospect of the ancient industrious practise of Physicians; and exhibited plainly to your view, the benefits and advantages arising thence, and pressing forward the advance and promotion of this Science; as also that the interest of Patient and Physician rests there, as most secure: I come now to present you with the new mode of prescribing to Apothecaries: and here take notice, that what hath been said of the good old practise, to justify and commend that; does also by reflection condemn and disapprove this latter; and that manifestly upon the syncrisis and comparison with each other: So that I need not say very much more, to set forth the unavoidable injuries that result from this deputing of tradesman, as Physicians substitutes, to over-see and prepare medicines according to their prescripts: Yet to make the discovery more complete and perspicuous, and to show you the manifest imprudency of this latter invention, and how insufferable it is in the continuation; observe with me strictly, what this new practise is, and you will see the fraudulent garb that is put upon it to render it specious, as also the emptiness and deceit that is couched under it.  
This new mode of practise is, to draw and frame medicines upon a piece of Paper; modeling them into several forms, and contriving them for several purposes; varying pro re nata, for every temperament and case, by substracting and adding this and that variously, as the Prescriber fancies, or an Author shall dictate to him, if he have time to consult his Books. And here the Doctor ends his work, and resigns it up into other hands to be perfected: this draft or scheme of medicine, is to be transmitted to some Apothecary to be made according to that platform and invention. And this is thought( by those who are blinded with the fallacy) that it is a learned designing of medicines; an artificial contrivement; an exact appropriation to person and case; a regular and rational method; a good invention to satisfy the people; a safe way to trust their lives in; practised by men of eminent famed and learning; to whom the greatest persons apply for help and relief; and therefore it is concluded by all, that this must needs be the best and most excellent way of practise.  
But to counter this general& erroneous approbation, and oppose this fond opinion of unwary trapped people; I shall give you my judgement in a direct Antithesis and contradictory determination. This novel practise though generally applauded and approved, is not truly bottomed and founded upon the right learning: for the basis of Pharmacy is experimental Philosophy, a certain guide; not fallacious Book learning and deceitful probability. Secondly, the designment of such medicines are not artificial, according to the latest and best inventions, from certain trials of experienced operators in Pharmacy, witness their Bills upon the Files. Thirdly, Their adaptations pro re nata, are imaginary, uncertain, and a shooting at random, instead of aiming at a mark; since no individual propriety of body, nor no new conjunction and association of medicinal ingredients are fore-known, but trial makes the discovery, and begets a post knowledge; and therefore established trials, well proved, repeated and meliorated medicines, far exceed these conjectural new coined medicines. Fourthly, This prescribing mode is an irrational course to fathom Nature, a very unlikely way to improve a natural Philosopher, and impossible that hereby he should be knowing and skilful in the various proprieties of medicinal ingredients. Fifthly, 'tis an excellent invention to satisfy and indulge a Physician, that is content to live in ease and ignorance. Sixthly, A hazardous way to trust peoples lives in. Seventhly, Practised by men as apparently erroneous in curing; as eminent in famed and learning: whose Patients although the greatest, may not be the wisest and most judicious; I am sure, not the most critical and discerning in this matter, nor such as have endeavoured to be rightly informed herein.  
To back these assertions( though much hereof is proved in the preceding discourse) and that I may not be thought a traducer of this famed practise, and men of great repute exercising therein; I shall offer farther, to illustrate these truths, and vindicate them from all suspicion of calumny: and this I shall do by bringing the prescribing Doctor to the touch-stone, whereby you may clearly judge of this mans abilities, in designing and appointing medicines for the sick( let his parts and learning otherwise be ever so good) and whether he be such an able safe man in curing, as the world hath vainly supposed: the trial is this. He that is knowing and skilful in the forming, adapting, and appointment of medicines; that is able to direct and correct medicinal preparations judiciously, as a Master in this Art; is well acquainted with the materia medica; in their genuine, and simplo, artificial and compound state; and hath ascended these four gradations of Pharmaceutic knowledge. The first step he takes, is only a superficial acquaintance with the materia medica; to know the face and figure of all natural bodies, especially the more usual in medicines, rightly to distinguish them by name one from another; and not to know them thus, is as absurd an ignorance, as for a Carpenter not to know Oak from Elm, and Beech from Firwood. Can that Physician be said to be a natural Philosopher, that does not so much as know the outside of nature? His second degree and progress in knowledge, is to understand the various differences in point of goodness, that he may make a good election of every ingredient he appoints for medicine, which is of great importance in curing: and not to know good from bad, is a deficiency next the not knowing one kind from another. The third gradation, is to know the distinct times for storing, and different ways of keeping, proper, and befiting these several concretes; as also to correct and prepare every thing duly in order to compound medicines; and without such provision, and previous observations in Pharmacy( gained by practise and experience) a good medicine cannot be made. The fourth gradation and completement of a Physician in Pharmacy, consists of many parts: as first, To make suitable associations of ingredients, with their faces looking one way, and conspiring to the same intention. Secondly, To know the due proportions of each ingredient, suiting with the form and consistence of every medicine, as also for a due qualification of odours, sapors, &c. or what else may commend and make a medicine more grateful to the Patient. Thirdly, To be dextrous and skilful in the different artificial ways of extracting or separating the virtues or virtuous parts of several bodies, to elect this, and reject that, to serve such a purpose. Fourthly, To be expert in the various ways of composition and union by fit mediums; for as much as, some bodies refuse the intimate society and embraces of others, unless by artificial conjunction they be reconciled. Fifthly, To know the variety of menstruums proper to act upon several bodies, for extraction and dissolution; for that penetration and retexture are not wrought promiscuously, but by this or that specially. Sixthly, To discern what will yield to and comply with such a preparation and form of medicine, and what not. Seventhly, To know what are hostile and do destroy each other, if they be compounded together, and what does exalt or depress each other, within their sphere of action. Eighthly, To know the various results of different mixtures, which oftentimes are not to be imagined, nor can ever be thought of, but are found out by trials and experiments of associating and commixing this with that; and no man can certainly tell the effects of any composition before the trial, but by guess and at a venture, which oft proves not so as intended, but much otherwise: and this the Pharmacopoeian Physician and experimental Philosopher will fully attest. I might have given some instances and examples in these particulars, but I must contract myself to bring this discourse within the compass of these sheets.  
Now if you examine the prescribing Doctor( that trusts wholly to Apothecaries for the making of his medicines) and search into his abilities and completeness in these four gradations of requisite knowledge, you will find him very deficient herein: and I think there is none( quatenus Prescriber) will have the face to own himself Master of such a stock of knowledge; but if any such there be, reason will tell you, he is endowed with more absurd irrational confidence, than truth in that assumption: for as much as these four gradations of knowledge are acquired by a practical experience and acquaintance with all the ingredients and their several preparations in the Pharmaceutic Art, by inspection, tractation, and operation, and not otherwise. Therefore a mere notional man, a Prescriber, a Book Physician, that draws all his skill out of his Library, is much estranged from this certain complete knowledge: and at best, in what he seems to know from tradition, he is but an adventurer thereon, a man of fortune and chance; he takes all upon trust; and he may as likely( and very often he does, witness his Bills upon the file) depend upon an error, and embrace falsehood instead of truth; nor shall he ever be informed by prescribing to Apothecaries, but persist in his false imaginations and presumptions; for operating and experimenting in the Laboratory, is that which informs, proves, and settles a true judgement in medicines, which poring in the library, shall never do, although he be a studious man all his life time. Let none then think to justify himself, because of his great learning otherwise; for admit that, yet being deficient and inexpert in this most requisite part of learning; he is( assuredly) very insufficient and an unsafe Practiser. Whoever therefore invented prescribing, as a mode and custom for Physicians to follow, seducing them from the first establishment, and most rational endeavours in the preparation of medicines; were the greatest enemies to the progress of this Science, to the improvement and advance of the Professors, and hath proved most pernicious to the Sick. The consideration whereof made Chr. Langius complain; said hoc saltem 
Chr. long. curios. med. pag. 146.  silentio non transmittendum existimamus; pessimè illos de bono publico meritos, qui primi hanc sum arduam arma medica conficiendi disciplinam a medicina avulserunt,& servis suis unice commiserunt, &c. Notwithstanding our just complaints of the great abuses daily offered to our Profession, by men unreasonably introduced as appertainers to this Science; their invading our rights, and boldly usurping the medical practise; prostituting the secrets of this Art for gain, and many other insufferable inconveniencies relating both to Patient and Physician; yet this unhappy invention of prescribing, or the ridiculous custom of Physicians making medicines with Pen and Ink, is most injuriously promoted and continued; and few there are that seriously consider the mischief they have done, by complying with, and upholding this male-practice, I shall therefore search farther into this imprudent innovation, and let you see the vanity and emptiness of this prescribing practise, so fond esteemed by the people, and unworthily kept up by the Professors; and that I shall do by examining the basis thereof, if it be firm and solid; whether the practise of physic may rest upon it, as secure, rational, and justifiable; or whether it be not an uncertain, ignorant, and dangerous practise; not becoming a Philosopher, nor answering that trust reposited in the Professors, being of such weight and moment, wherein the lives of all people are most nearly concerned.  
First then, either this prescribing or the Prescripts of an Apothecary Doctor, are founded upon tradition, and taken up upon trust from Authors; or secondly, they are grounded upon some former periclitations and successful adventures of their own in parallel cases. Or thirdly, they are designed and composed theorically and conjecturally contrived, upon probability and reason, drawn from the common reputed single nature of the ingredients, selected and appropriated to a special case, and reduced into such a form of medicine, most suitable to that purpose. Now in all these three prescripts variously and severally bottomed( and I think the enumeration compriseth the generical latitude) the prescribing Physician is justly to be taxed, and may be reputed an uncertain, unsafe Practiser, or a hazardous Undertaker of the Sick, let him be ever so learned and well accomplished otherwise; as plainly appears upon the particular examinations of these three prescripts differently grounded and presumed.  
For the first, if your judgement depends upon the supposed skill and credit of an Author, or a Book-guide in the election and composition of medicines; then 'tis not you( if it take effect) that cures, but your Author and monitor, and your good fortune to consult him and not another; you practise by his repute, by his supposed ability and experience, not by your own; not by your own reason grounded upon experience and practical knowledge in medicinal preparations and trials: but depending upon this and that learned man, you appoint this and that medicine of his commendation, and so the good women practise by their receipt Book. That this is warrantable and safe, is most reasonably denied: First, because Authors do often transcribe from one another, and take up upon trust, as you Prescribers do: and 'tis very uncertain who proved and tried this or that medicine sufficiently, and made true observations thereon: some perhaps never made them otherwise than a fair draft upon a piece of Paper, as you yourselves use to do. Secondly, because medicines in former times were not so well contrived, safe, artificial, and complete, in their first and rough inventions, as now in these later days; and the Ancients knew not those excellent ways of correcting and preparing, as by long and often experience is discovered gradually to diligent and inquisitive Operators of this later industrious Age: therefore those are not exemplars for any to imitate and transcribe; but to prove, operate upon, and meliorate in the Laboratory. Thirdly, because many frivolous, inefficacious, and bad medicines, are scattered frequently here and there in Authors of great learning and famed, and commended to posterity( with many other great errors) which deserve and ought to be razed out; and not to stand as Copies for other men to writ after: which patterns have shamed great Physicians their followers( who else had been good Physicians) and frustrated their expectations, with the loss of their Patients lives, and the vilifying of this excellent Art: and of such sort, I can point you out enough for proof. Fourthly, because Prescribers have not that discerning judgement in the choice of medicines( proved pag. 14, 15, 16, 17. being unpractised and unskilful in their preparations) but chop upon medicines from their high commendations; and are biased by the false eulogies commonly attending them, not directed and determined to this or that by a judicious election. Wherefore the reliance that these men have upon Authors in the choice of medicines is deceitful, and their practise hazardous.  
As for the second, that is just the Empirick's practise; and his confidence in the use of medicines, does arise after the same manner, from some fortunate blind experiments, and good luck in curing: not from the true reasons of the medicine, collated with the nature of the disease: not from any just and full account he is able to give of the amicable congruity of the associated ingredients, or their conspiring natures to the same intention; their due proportions, the exquisitness and fitness of each particular previous preparation; nor from the rational and artificial designment and adaptation of the whole by a certain knowledge and true observations in Pharmaceutic experiments( this only an expert Pharmacopoeian Doctor is able to do, proved pag. 14, 15, 16, 17. also 81, 82,) but relying upon some former good success supervening the medicine in like case, gives him encouragement to repeat the same.  
Now the third, that seems to be a grave learned Plot, and a secure design in curing, is the most hazardous adventure, and most dangerous of the three: for here you set upon the Sick with an unknown, untried, new medicine, which what it will prove, a more skilful man than you cannot tell; for those expert Physicians that prepare medicines for their own practise, that are very conversant and well experienced in various medicinal preparations( far beyond your notional conjectural knowledge in prescribing) I must summon them in for their testimony and confirmation; that they are not satisfied in, nor have tried any new medicine sufficiently to establish it in their number of well approved medicines, under six months time or longer, by frequent preparations, alterations, and several trials in use and curative probation. For my own part I have been revising and meliorating some medicines for many years, by various alterations and trials, and yet I am not so fully satisfied as to acquiesce and sit down with what I have acquired. But you( Mr. Prescriber) can contrive and hatch a new composition in a quarter of an hour, and give it with as much confidence, as if you had been frequently an elaborator of this medicine for seven years. How come you to be such an even guesser at medicines, that never made any? if you hit it right, you are the luckiest man in the world: but common reason tells me, and your practise does declare, that you are more bold than fortunate herein. No wise man goes to fight, but he first examines and trys his weapons, that they may not deceive him; so likewise a prudent and careful Physician, proves his medicines very well before he comes to use them in good earnest; especially in acute Diseases, that allow no time to delay or dally in: here one error, or one bad medicine, is enough to march off the Patient: this is not a time to practise with hap hazard medicines, by new appropriations as you may fancy; but you must rely upon standing medicines, well experimented and reformed by several trials; and in these are the greatest safety of the Patients life, and the Physicians reputation: these will not boggle and play jadish tricks with you, as the new untried medicines, that most commonly shane their Master: and therefore the person and case ought to be deliberately chosen for such new experiments, and the medicine well inspected in the preparation; else no true observation can be remarked thence. To press home the absurdness and uncertainty of this practise; he that is not practically and experimentally acquainted by tractation and trials in the Laboratory, with every single ingredient, he adds to his medicine, puts he knows not what together: and he that is well acquainted with the nature of each single, does not yet certainly know what the result will be in the compound until the trial: as the ingredients of Gunpowder or Aurum fulminans, have no such furious effects in their single natures; but being so prepared and compounded, they have a strange force and power: and likewise many other compounds and mixtures that might be instanced, far different in their result, from each single nature. A Prescriber or Speculator in medicines, does not consider, nor can he find it in his study, how the ingredients of medicines are varied and changed, by the diversity of preparation and conjunction; how their properties are intended or remitted, extinct, or advanced, by adding of this or substracting that; having similar or dissimilar and opposite qualities, emaning from their different forms and seminalities, or from artificial modifications and transmutations in preparation: for these secrets are known and discovered only to an expert operator by due observations upon various trials and processes in the preparation of medicines, and not otherwise: So that from hence, we may very rationally and undoubtedly conclude; that the designing and compounding of medicines are very nice things; not to be contrived in the study only, and so depended on; but to be proved also in the Laboratory and warily approved by use; and consequently also, that those ex tempore medicines and sudden inventions of Prescribers, pro re nata, are very uncertain, casual, and hazardous.  
I affirm therefore from these reasons deposited; to practise with or appoint medicines, as Prescribers do, without a firm well grounded experience in them, and certain knowledge gained by their frequent preparation and melioration; is a slight, deceitful practise: either to rely upon fallacious tradition, or their own blind casual successses and repetitions; or to presume and adventure upon new invented conjectural medicines, for the first encounters and onsets, before trials with secure approved standing medicines, is not warrantable nor safe: and besides all this uncertainty, to refer the management and preparation of these dubious chancemedicines, to the care, skill, and honesty of Traders in physic, and their servants; is such an accumulation of egregious failings, and a multiplying of imprudent irrational adventures; as he that would be counted a true experimental Philosopher, an able, steady, well grounded Practiser, and a safe undertaker of the Sick, must disown and utterly reject: but he that diligently betakes himself to the ancient industrious practise; not trusting to tradition, speculative notions, and substitutes in Pharmacy; but personally acting, inspecting, and remarking all Pharmaceutic and other Philosophical experiments; may thereby gain a stock of certain knowledge to rely on, and acquire sound and real abilities in curing; he may then settle true observations as guides and monitors in the whole practise of Pharmacy; and being sedulously disposed in this capacity, he may confidently and deservingly hope to obtain the great Arcana's of this Art, which will enable him to perform true service and administer great assistance to the Sick; and hereby to purchase most worthy famed and credit to himself and his Profession: such a man as this, {αβγδ}, he only deserves the character and Title, of an able, careful, and complete Physician: but he that seeks after, or pretends to great knowledge and abilities in Curing, not thus qualified and expert in medicinal preparations, but puffed up with traditional notions and Book experience; he is an Impostor to himself and others: and this is the unhappy case of prescribing, or the strange custom of Physicians making medicines with Pen and Ink. And here I must take notice( lest I be thought a stranger to the matter, and give encouragement of advantage) that there is a sort of men( but a few) who although they practise with Shop Medicines and common culpable recipes, like other Prescribers; yet do operate privately to ga●● more knowledge than the rest, and pretend to higher things; thinking hereby they can make a handsome Plea,& evade much of the guilt charged in this Discourse. To such as these I have given a fair check in a former 
The Ancient practise of physic revived, &c. p. 106. to p. 114.  Tract, appendent to that Treatise entitled, Vita sana& longa, whither I must refer the Reader, not having room to insert it here: and more I have to say against this juggling device and pretext( used as a foil to set off and commend, or patronize a spurious illegitimate practise) when any such Professor shall stand forth in justification of his integrity, and the warrantable discharge of his Function: I doubt not then, but to extort this confession from him: Video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor; if he be not very obstinate to the convictions of reason, and perverse against the truth.  
I might have enlarged myself upon several heads, and in divers parts of this Discourse to illustrate and press home the verity of our assertions: but what hath been delivered is sufficient at this time, until some party concerned does appear in their defence, by a sober ratiocination and solid argumentative answer, not an invective taunt, not a reviling contumelious return; which notably insinuates and suggests the cause to be bad on that side: to desert the matter in contest, and fall upon the person, squibbing and flirting with a little frothy wit to no purpose; strongly argues that business to be nought, and will not abide a fair debate: but if you will answer me directly and fully to the particulars charged, without evasions and shifts; laying aside animosity and self interest; contending only for the truth, the prosperous improvement of this Science, the welfare of the Professors, and safety of the Sick; your ingenuity herein will mitigate à tanto many failings, and redound to your advantage. I desire no more of you, than such an ingenuous management of this disceptation; that the world may be satisfied, wherein their interest of life and health consists and rests most secure; and that the provision wherewith nature is plentifully stored, for the preservation and relief of infirm man, may most successfully and happily be dispensed: expecting this candour and clear dealing from you( if your cause will admit of fair play, and an honest sincere, argumentation) I shall wait your Answer: until then I know not where I am weak or deficient, in this undertaking; or where the adverse party will take advantage: but when I come to view their strength, and find how they will oppose, or where they will press upon me; and what objections more can be started, than I have here anticipated: I shall then exactly know the scope and main points of this difference; the Adversary's utmost power, and what more I have to prove: This contest then will be contracted, and drawn into some small compass. Upon Reply( which you may be sure of) I shall then reinforce such arguments as may be thought( upon new suggestions) not so clearly convincing; and apply so close to any new matter of opposition, as I doubt not but to stifle the validity of any Plea, argument, or objection, that shall be offered to our consideration, as a bar to the design and intention of this Discourse.  
If I be thought too sharp and severe( at first sight) in some parts of this Discourse;( if well considered) I am not culpable therein, but to be excused; the urgency of the Cause prompts me to it, and will bear me out; since I pled not my particular interest or private quarrel; but a public safety, and 
Non meam said medicinae, medicorum 〈◇〉 〈◇〉, & aegrorum causam ago.  concern of great importance, which very grossly hath been abused: and therefore not to be reprehended with too tender and soft language, which is unlikely to make impression upon some sort of men, being obdurate, fixed, and habituated in a gainful easy confederate Custom, and combined interest. What seeming deficiencies have attended this undertaking; I doubt not but the unbiased and impartial Reader, will favourably interpret; for the sincerity of the Authors intention, and the necessity of this work to be promoted.  
London From my house in Fetter-Lane.  
FINIS.   

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The complete Physician, qualified and dignified: The Rise and Progress of physic, Historically, Chronologically, and Philosophically illustrated. Physicians of different Sects and Judgments, charactered and distinguished, &c.  
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The Preservation of Health, and Prolongation of Life; proposed and proved in the due observance of remarkable precautions, and daily practicable Rules, relating to body and mind, compendiously abstracted from the Institutions and Law of Nature.  
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