Physicians. And the like non-sence they commonly utter by calling
Physicians that make their own Medicines, Mountebanks and Quacks,
whereas none can be such but those who practise without Lawful
Authority, as the Apothecaries, &c. do; and they are not ignorant in
this their malice, that the Law of England would punish them roundly
for so saying. And were I troublesome or vindicative, I could make
some of them examples, but I freely remit the slanders in this kind
that are past.

Having done with the main part of the Disease, next follows the
Remedy; and the only firm and proper one will appear to be, that
Physicians make their own Medicines; the benefit whereof to the
publick, the reasonableness of the thing it self, the necessity in
relation to the Physician, will be manifest by that which follows.

And First, All that hath been said demonstrates this last proportion.

Secondly, The desire of most persons, and the censure of all wise men,
who say we are wanting to our own interest, if we make not use of the
remedy in our own hands, performing our Art in all its members,
whereof making of Medicines is a chief one.

Thirdly, The common practice, and constant usage of all former and
antient Physicians in all other Nations, and in England also (for 'tis
easie to say when there was not one Apothecary in this Kingdom) the
Laws of our Nation, nay even the Apothecaries Charter allow it, the
Language of all Physicians, our College voting it honourable so to do,
nay Apothecaries themselves commending it in such Physicians as buy
their Medicines of them.

Fourthly, The Kings Physicians have formerly made the Kings Medicines,
as 'tis manifest by my Lord Coke, in his 4th. Book of the Institutes,
part 4. pag. 251. where he comments on Rot. Pat. 32 H 6. m. 17. He
there first recites the Roll it self, wherein are appointed (the King
being then sick) 3 Physicians and 2 Chirurgeons, to freely minister
and execute Physic about the Kings Person, and there are also recited
in general, Medicines external, and internal. And on this Roll Coke
among other things infers, that the Physicians may use the aid of
those Chirurgeons named in the Warrant, but of no Apothecary, but to
prepare and do all things themselves, &c. And the reason of all this
is, the precious regard had of the health and safety of the King, who
is the head of the Common-wealth. And I am told by one of his present
Majesties Physicians, that the King himself affirmed here