A PROPOSAL For the better Securing of HEALTH.  
Humbly offered to the Consideration of the Honourable Houses of Parliament.  

THIS last years Bill of Mortality, as well as the many poor Diseased, have given to some a just occasion of Reflecting on the great Numbers which Annually die within the City of London, and parts adjacent, comprised in the Weekly Bills of Mortality; whereof very many, by Gods Blessing, upon the true Methods of a Skilful, Careful, and Early Application of the Art of physic, might in all probability have been preserved alive.  
Therefore, in order to so good and great an End, it is humbly proposed, that a more complete practical Constitution of physic according to the following Method, may be upon rational Demonstration Established; whereby Care may be taken, that all Sick, as well Poor as Rich, shall be Advised and Visited, when needful, by Approved, skilful physicians, and Surgeons; and furnished with necessary Medicines in all Diseases, except the Pox, midwifery, and Cutting for the ston; for which three last Calamities, some small Additional Allowance may be settled: Because the Pox may not be hereby encouraged, and Deliveries require mighty Pains, and unseasonable hours; and the ston is not only a particular Dexterity, but requires much Attendance.  
And all this,( Except as before Excepted) for a small yearly certain Sum Assessed upon each House, not exceeding 〈◇〉 for the greatest Family, nor under 〈◇〉 for the meanest, that are not Objects of Charity: Which respective Sums will not be the third part of what is now spent, only in Apothecaries Bills in a Healthy year. And for this every Individual Person of the Family, as well the Lodger and Servant; as Master, Mistress and Children, shall, when there is occasion, be sufficiently accommodated: Whereas many at present miserable perish without the least Care, and for want of timely and skilful Assistance. In short, It's proposed to serve all the Families, Rich and Poor, Little and Great, within the City and parts adjacent, much better and cheaper than at present, with Visits, Advice, Medicine, and Surgery.  
It is also further humbly offered, That effectual Care be taken to reform the practise of midwifery, according to a Proposal ready to be presented when commanded: And that the Laws already in being may be revised and amended, which provide against the Sale of unwholesome Flesh in the Markets; and that Bread may be well Baked; Wine not Sophisticated; Beer well Brewed; and the Houses and Streets well cleansed from Dirt and Filth: All these being very common causes of Diseases and Death.   

This Constitution consists of the following Members, more or fewer, as the City Occasions and Necessities may require.  
First, Ten Noble Curatores.  

Secondly, Physicians.  
One Super-Intendent or President.  
Two Sub-Intendents.  
Three signior Heads of the College.  
Four Junior Heads.  
Fourteen signior Visitors.  
Seven Principal Secretaries.  
Fourteen Junior Visitors.  
Seven Sub-secretaries.  
Forty two Chief Itinerants.  
Forty nine Junior Itinerants.  
Seven signior amanuensis.  
Fourteen Junior amanuensis.   
In all One hundred sixty four.  
Of this Number, besides the three Intendents in the Chief College in Warwick-lane, there will be Twenty three Physicians more: As also Twenty three in each other the six Colleges. Seven Colleges being thought at present more than sufficient to serve the Bills of Mortality, with Convenience and Ease to the Inhabitants thereof: In each of which Colleges there are as followeth.  

One Master, Head or Principal.  
Two signior Visitors.  
Two Junior Visitors.  
One Principal Secretary.  
One Sub-secretary.  
Six signior Itinerants.  
Seven Junior Itinerants.  
One signior Amanuensis.  
Two Junior amanuensis.   
In all Twenty three.  
The convenient places for the Seven Colleges may be 

1. The Present College.  
2. Lincolns-Inn-Fields.  
3. Near Charing-Cross.  
4. Near the Poultry.  
5. Southwark near the Hospital.  
6. Near Bishops-gate.  
7. In or about Goodmans-fields.    
Which places are to be published in Print about a Fortnight before the Settlement, that all may know where to apply for help.  

Thirdly, chirurgeons.  
One Master.  
One Deputy.  
Seven Wardens.  
Twenty eight Assistants.  
Fifty six Mates.  
Twenty eight Junior Mates.   
In all One hundred twenty one.  
Of this Number, besides the Master and Deputy, at the Chief College, there are Seventeen in each of the Colleges, viz.  

One Warden.  
Four Assistants.  
Eight Mates.  
Four Junior Mates.   
In all Seventeen.  
Some of which, besides Chirurgery, shall practise midwifery, Cut for the ston, Reduce Dislocations, And draw Teeth, in each College.  

Fourthly, Apothecaries.  
One Master.  
One Deputy.  
Seven Wardens.  
Fourteen Assistants.  
Forty two Mates.  
Forty two Journey-men.  
Forty two Sub-Journey-men.   
In all One hundred forty nine.  
Of this Number, besides the Master and Deputy at the Chief College, there are Twenty one in each College, viz.  

One Warden.  
Two Assistants.  
Six Mates.  
Six Journey-men.  
Six Sub-Journey-men.   
In all Twenty one.  
If the Number of any Exceeds the Inhabitants Necessities, it may be( as they die out) lessened, by not supplying: But if not sufficient, it may be Augmented.   

Inducements for this New Establishment of physic.  
I. TO preserve Health and save Lives, is always a public Good, but more especially in time of War.  
II. That Medicine is highly useful to those great Ends, is and has been always the general judgement of Mankind.  
III. That every Good Quò Communius eo Melius; but that as physic is now managed, not only the very Poor, but meaner sort of tradesman and their Families, Servants, and Misers, deterred by Physitians Fees, and Apothecaries Bills, have little or no Benefit by physic.  
IV. That by these means, together with the want of timely and frequent Visits, many die yearly that might be preserved; and Epidemical and Contagious Distempers arise and are propagated.  
V. That Physicians and chirurgeons may( and possible many do) having no Check, or Supervisors, for Lucre sake, prolong Cures, to the hazard of Life; and by new Experiments upon their own single judgement destroy many.  
VI. That Apothecaries may be careless in their Mixtures, or worshipful; or may Administer things improper or decayed, or tyre their Patients with needless and nauseous Medicines for their own Advantage.  
VII. Mountebanks, and Cheats in physic, are found by Experience, to conduce extremely to the ruin of Peoples Healths, and loss oft-times, of their Lives, as well as of their Money.  
VIII. That by this Constitution all those Ills will be prevented, all will have equal Help and Benefit: all will apply in time, since they may hope for Cure without fear of Charge: Diseases taken early more easily removed: Frequent Visits will be made, which in acute Diseases are most necessary; changes therein being often so great and sudden, that Life is frequently lost for want of a timely Visit. Consultations will be had, when necessary, though of the whole Faculty, in difficult cases: Medicines publicly and faithfully prepared will only be given: And Mountebanks, with such others, will hereby sink of themselves, without Law or Trouble.  
IX. Nothing will be here Clandestine, that in its own Nature requires not Secrecy. No Mans Ignorance or Negligence can here be prejudicial, for the Constitution directs all, inquires into and Supervises all.  
X. physic and chirurgery will be extremely improved, and in little time, by the multitude of Experiments, recording of Observavations, and mutual candid Assistance of the Members, come near to a Demonstration.  
XI. The Members of both Houses of Parliament, with their Families, not being House-keepers in Town, will be attended Gratis: And indeed all the Inhabitants of every House, for the small Rate charged thereon: Visits, physic, and chirurgery therein included.  
XII. The Advantages of this Constitution may be immediately extended to the great Benefit both of the Navy and Army.  
XIII. The Improvement of Health, and Preservation of Life, increases People, and that Augments Consumption, Trade, Power and Wealth. And many foreigners will repair hither for Remedy, when incurable abroad.  
XIV. The Proposers are sensible that many Objections will be raised by Prejudice, interest, and for want of a true Information of the Nature, and Tendency of this Constitution; all which they are ready to answer, and hope the public Benefit will outweigh all by, and little Ends.    

☞ There is newly Published a Book, entitled, The History of the Late Revolution in England; With the Causes and Means by which it was accomplished. Together with the Settlement thereof under their most Serene Majesties King William and Queen Mary, by the Lords and Commons Assembled in this present Parliament. Printed for Tho. Salusbury at the Sign of the Temple near Temple-Bar in Fleet-street, 1689.