ugh he was before informed by some friend that
'twas poysoned. Neither can History it self to my knowledg produce any
example, that ever any such foolish Villany was acted; Though
doubtless many lives might have been saved if the Apothecaries would
have complyed with the College, in their proposed Orders for selling
Rats-bane.

In the next place I shall recite some few of their devices against
those Physicians in particular that make their own Medicines, as to
tell the Patient that is averse to Chymical Medicines, that the Doctor
is Chymical, and that because forsooth he makes his own Medicines; but
to those that affect Chymical, that the Doctor is but a Galenist, and
useth only dull and ineffectual remedies, as best suits to the sick
mans Palat. A second is, that if this Physician be called in to a
Patient, the Apothecary will pretend present danger, and in his
absence call in another, or pretend he is abroad when he is not, or
else that the Case requires the counsel of two Physicians; and what
other devices they use, I have not well learned.

Now briefly follow some small Scandals they cast upon the said
Physicians, as first that they do it for want of practice; the falsity
whereof is known by those few that do act this way already, and
shortly 'twill be more apparent, when many more of good practice,
singular parts and honesty will do the like, and certainly nothing but
lazyness, ignorance, or want of will to do the utmost good they are
able for the sick, can hinder them from so doing, except age,
infirmity of body, or want of convenience. But suppose 'tis so as they
alledg, doubtless every man may and ought to use all lawful means for
his own subsistence; and do not our adversaries say they are inforced
to it, affirming that unless they give Medicines of themselves, their
acquaintance will go to another Apothecary who will do it, though one
of their Company told me, they had power by their Charter to restrain
practice? Whence (if true) it clearly follows that the whole Company
allows it.

But those Physicians, that for the reasons above, cannot nor will not
take this course, are to be admonished, to do here as the Physicians
did in France, for the good of people, viz. to tell their Patients the
prices of Medicines, and to write their Bills in English, that thereby
the Patients may not pay too unreasonable for them.

I now conclude, having performed this ungrateful task, with as much
brevity, mildness of Spirit,