industrious. Nay some
Mountebanks have been set up by purchasing receipts of the Apothecary
or his Servants. And one of them told me, he set up a Quack by selling
and commending to him a Medicine he had long kept in his Shop and
could not otherwise put off, and that by degrees he made him a famous
practiser among the ignorant and poor people. An Act quite contrary to
the interest of the Company.

Hence also will arise an emulation amongst Physicians, who shall
exceed each other in noble remedies, and from thence a full and happy
improvement of whatsoever God hath created for the recovery of mans
health impaired; for from the Physician alone the advancement of
Physic is to be expected. How many simples of unknown properties have
been brought into use, to the great comfort of the sick? and many more
may be, as also many preparations, both simple and compound, both in
the Galenical, and Chymical practice, and by this means the Art will
be advanced to its just dignity, now much diminished, dishonoured, and
near to be lost by the intrusion of ignorant persons.

Greater respect will be given to such Physicians, as being the
immediate instruments of life and health, who will derive unto
themselves that which is now given to the Apothecaries, which proceeds
chiefly from fear lest they should do the Patient hurt; and so their
honour will be doubled, which every Physician looks principally at;
but the Apothecary being not so far concerned, looks chiefly at his
own profit, and regards not the Patients charge. For the greater the
Patients charge, the greater must needs be the Apothecaries gain;
whereas on the contrary, 'tis the Physicians Interest to cure the
Patient with the greatest ease.

He may proceed on safely and securely in his well experienced
Medicines, having before him not only what he hath prescribed for the
same Patient, but for all others in the like Case, and thereby keep in
memory what he would have forgot, if his Bill had remained on the
Apothecaries File; viz. the Medicines and their success. By means
whereof Physicians do not advance their knowledg so far as they might;
for how is it possible they should remember the particulars of their
Bills writ some days before? and therefore know not how to proceed so
well. But the Apothecaries having before them the whole series of
Medicines, brag they can do more then the Physicians, and by this
means insinuate the same opinion into people.

The Physician will be co