Anatomy know neither the part
affected, nor how 'tis affected; much lets any thing of Chirurgical
directions. And through their ignorance in Philosophy, and Arts, they
have not skill enough to advise a diet sutable to diseases; a thing
most necessary, as well in curing diseases as in preserving of health,
and which requires a great insight into the nature of things; nor the
true grounds and reasons of compounding, practising their way rather
by rote then by rule; with better reason may a Brick-layer or
Carpenter pretend to be a Mathematical, or a Common Fidler to be a
Musick Reader in the Universities, or Gresham-College, since both
these have the practical part of those Sciences, which Apothecaries
have not in Physic, in the least measure.

And to conceal their mis-actings, they generally do all by word of
mouth, and not enter their prescriptions into their Books, being haply
ashamed any knowing men should discover their sins of omission, as
dangerous many times in point of life and health, as those of their
commission. Whereas Physicians Bills are on the File, or registred in
Order in their own Books, which is their justification from all
misrepresentations.

Again, they sufficiently confess their ignorance, by calling in
Physicians when their own, or any of their relations healths are
concerned, and the same all people acknowledge, when they are in
distress and danger. And very few understanding persons, and none that
are learned and knowing, will trust them at all. But I shall refer the
Reader to the forementioned Writer against the Apothecaries, viz. Dr.
Daniel Coxe, who permitted me to name him here; by whom this and many
other things here but briefly touched, are judiciously handled, and
more largely.

And as for their skill in practice, we daily see their gross errours
and omissions, being called where they have given Medicines. I shall
instance only in one that hapned at the writing hereof; viz. that an
Apothecary gave strong Purging Pills on the Fit day of a gentle
Quartan Ague, which turned it into a violent Fever, to the great
hazard of the Patients life.

And at how easie rate they practise, many of their Bills brought and
complained of to our College, (in some whereof I have seen Fees set
down for Visits) witness, wherein upon a slight disease 5 l. hath been
demanded for four days practice. And I have heard one of them brag,
that he commonly had from 20 to 100 l. besides presents, for cure of a
Clap