Bellum medicinale, or the present state of doctors and apothecaries in London. Being remarks upon a letter from a merchant-dispensary physician to himself, and his answer. In a letter from a chymist in the city to a country physician, with the physician's answer:

CHAP. III.

SO much for the Merchant's Letter, or the Doctor in disguise. We come now to the unmasked Physician's Answer. Let us see if we can find any thing more like the Product of a Pen used to prescribe the best Medicines; and he answers the Drugster as follows.

'Sir, I perceive you lay the greatest stress on the last enquiry of the low Prices of Medicines, because you observe that the large Bills of the Apothe∣cary are the best Argument with the People of his Ability to advise; and while they believe the Disease is treated very much by guess, they are not ve∣ry solicitous who throws the Dice for their Lives: but you rather make choice of one, who has made it his only Business, has studied, and practised all the Artifices of making them run to his purpose, than any common Hand.'

Remark. If the large Bills of the Apothecaries are the best Argument with the People of the Apothecaries Ability to advise, I do not see how so much stress can be laid on the Doctors selling a few Medicines at low Prices; that which argues the Ability of the Apothecary, should methinks also argue the Skill of the Doctor: but the Doctor here talks too much like an Apotheca∣ry, or something else. It cannot be denied that both Doctors and Apotheca∣ries

use their Medicines very much like Dice; but whether the Doctor or Apo∣thecary has got more Artifices to make 'em run to his purpose, is not easy to say: I believe both have more than are good, he that pretends to sell cheap does it to get more Customers; he that sells dear, does it to get the more Money, and both have the same Design. But it is very true, there are some uncommon Gamesters.

'Further (says he) you will not deny that every Art has the means to attain its End. This is obvious in Manufactures, which are made better or worse, according to the Skill of the Artificer. There are other Arts, whose Sub∣ject is perishable from Causes above the Power and Controul of the Art, which Events are not imputable to the Artist. Navigation will conduct a Ship to the Port, but Storms, Rocks, &c. may lose the Ship. The Husbandman and Gardiner act with prospect of Success, but extreme Rains, Drought and Blasts destroy their hopes. The Physician pretends to know with as much certainty how animal Life may be preserved, and by what means endangered, as they the Health and Growth of Vegetables. You may make an estimat to what Proportion animal Life may be prolonged, by observing that the Periods of the Lives of many Quadrupeds and Birds are supposed to be distinctly known.'

Remark. The Physician could have been contented to have his Art thought as certain as others, and he might have persuaded the Merchants that so it is, if he had not unluckily dropped that modest Word pretends, which makes some think, it is indeed but a Pretence. But I hope he would not cunningly insinuate, that the bare Supposition of the Knowledg of the Periods of the Lives of Beasts and Birds, is the way to estimate what Doctors can do. Let us hear what has been supposed in this matter.

Ter binos decies{que} novem superexit in Annos, Justa senescentumquos implet Vita Virorum, Hos novies superat vivend•• Garrula Cornix. Et quater egreditur Cornicis secula Cervus; Alipedem Cervum ter vincit Corvus: at illum Multiplicat novies Phoenix reparabilis Ales, Quem vos perpetuo decies praevertitis aevo Nymphae Hamadryades.

But I hope he would not have the Merchants think, the new Dispensary-Doc∣tors can make Mens Lives as long as these supposed Periods. If they could so do, they would be rare Fellows, but bitterly pestered with Practice.

'But yet Man's (he says) is the longest Period, and from Galen's Observation that of the Britains. If in Navigation, the Vessel must be moved by the Tide and Winds, and turned by the Rudder to a certain course: The Pow∣ers of the Body act as mechanically by the natural Necessity in Health; so in the Appearances of Diseases, the Humours are by a natural tendency moved

to be altered, or separated. These different Methods of Nature constitute so many Species of Distempers, which are truly defined, and described from the known Alterations, and Symptoms in all the Stages of their course.'

'We have the most certain Experiences of their Cures from the Observations of all Ages, even these which are the most latent; sudden Pestilences, and malignant Fevers discover the ways by which Nature expels the Malignity, &c.'

Remark. Either the Doctor is mistaken, or Virgil, a better Poet than any of them, whatever Galen is: but under all, the Doctor's Intent is to persuade us, that Dispensary Physicians can prolong Life. That Physicians do so truly define and describe Diseases, or have such certain Experiences of their Cures, I must deny: Authors differ; if they did not, yet Men of great Business read but little, and remember less, and he's a very rare Fellow indeed, that has a Promptuary in his Noddle to serve him on all Occasions; but whatever may have been done by former Physicians, ours are quot Homines tot Sententiae (except in some very common Cases) both in their Definitions, and Pre∣scriptions for Diseases, as any one will find that shall consult divers Physicians se∣parately, and compare their Accounts of a Disease and Prescriptions for it; one will say 'tis this, another that; one will prescribe one thing, another ano∣ther. But he says farther,

'You cannot doubt the efficacy of the Instruments in Physick, when in many Cases the rich Cordials given improperly, or in large Quantities, act as Poisons, and then in a little longer time as visibly destroy; when the over dosing Vinous, or other Spirits, fire and inflame the Blood and Spirits: Opi∣ates stop the Motions, the Bark checks the ferment of a Fever, which cannot be cured but by Expulsion of the Venom: the effects of Vomits, Purges, Diaphoreticks, are owned by the vulgar Experience. The late but surer force of Labour, Temperance, Rest, have been formerly owned in the most ob∣stinate Diseases. They are now rejected as the most nauseous Physick, and the most difficult to be complied with: I need not acquaint you with the Mineral Waters, which are able to cool, and dilute, and purify the Blood, after it has been heated and corrupted by modish Living. Nature discovers to the Physician its surest Methods of dismissing the most common Fevers, by Bleeding, Sweats, &c. In the more difficult, it gives Indications how it would be assisted or directed; at least our Magazines of Observations can∣not sail to furnish in all Cases parallel to them.'

Remark. That even Cordials may so easily act as Poisons, and destroy, methinks is no inviting Argument of the efficacy of Medicines; nor can this appear but from the Errors of Physicians, who have found it so, which is no

great Credit. Tho the effects of vulgar Medicines are known, the Time and Case where such effects should be produced; is not so well perceived. Labour, Temperance, and Rest are certainly excellent Preservatives, but in ma∣ny Diseases cannot be used: When a Man cannot so much as sit up, to pre∣scribe him Labour; when he is delirious, to order him to go to Rest, would be very good Physick, if he could take it; but it is indeed difficult to be complied with, barely by the Doctor's Order. It is not so certain to the Mer∣chants, whether, and when the Mineral Waters do good or hurt: It was the Judgment of Mr. Boyle, that they do more hurt than good, taking one time with another; and it seems to be the Opinion of one of his Scholars, that all the real Benefit got by drinking the Waters, comes merely from the large Quantities of Water taken, and not by the Minerals wherewith they are impregnated and defiled; and he advises Persons rather to drink at some pure Spring. Letter to a Gentleman, of Alkaly and Acids, p. ult. But the Air, Com∣pany, Diversion of those Places, may add very much to the Health of the Persons, which is used to be attributed solely to the Waters; tho all this would not cure a Man, whose Blood is corrupted. Nature's Indications are not al∣ways observed or understood by Physicians, or always followed; but the Mode Practice prevails above them all: And the Magazines of Observations are not always open, or resorted to by Physicians; but while a Man is looking for a parallel Case, the Patient is often dead. A Physician ought to have a better Rule, than the running to his Study to know what to do, where he is not sure to find a true Parallel; the Author might be mistaken, and not give a true or faithful account: Authors are apt to be somewhat guilty of the Crime of the petty Sorcerers, who make their virulent Medicines all Panaceas, if you will believe the Catalogues of Cures confidently affirmed in the Bills; when very likely the Disease never was worse, or so bad as they make it, if the matter of Fact related had any Truth in it at all. He goes on:

'But if the Patient is overheated, and surfeited by too many Medicines; if the salutary Looseness be stopped too soon, the Humours fix by Opiates, or the Bark, it's imputable to the Adviser, not to the Art, which has given the strictest cautions on the like Conjunctures. It is not a reproach to the Art, if there are wanting Remedies equal to the Rage or Violence of some Dis∣eases, which will not wait the effect, or are above the Force of any known Drug that can be brought to oppose them, any more than to the Statesman, General, or Counsellor, when he cannot always warrant Success. When after the steady use of Liquors which give a briskness to, but inflame the Spirits, spend the Strength of the Blood by heating it, give Life a pleasant but quick∣er Motion, the Liver and other Parts shall be made scirrous and abcessed, the Omentum rotten, the Fibers flaccid, shall the Art be accused, that can∣not

keep the Machin a going where every Wheel is broken?'

Remark. If the Art of Medicine were so certain as the Doctor would per∣swade his hoped-for Patients, the Artist would not so often overheat, yea or o∣ver-cool, or surfeit his Patients by so many Medicines: It will certainly be the Advantage of every Artist to do his work with the fewest Tools, all the Cauti∣ons that they give one another are hardly sufficient, fixing of Humors is what a Chymist would be glad to see the Doctor perform. To suppose there are Re∣medies wanting to equal the Force of any Disease, is to reproach the Author of Nature as if he had not goodness enough to provide a Remedy for every evil, or as if his Goodness were not greater than all Evi••, and to excuse the Artist who ought to be blam'd that he hath not found out sufficient Remedies, but lazily leaves them unknown.

Some of the Doctors themselves are steady Drinkers, but I believe never a∣ny of them were found with scirrous Livers, rotten Omentums, or flaccid Fibers caus'd by the briskness of the Blood. But if all Artists may be accus'd of de∣fects, it signifies not much what the Art is suppos'd; 'tis the Artist, the Patient must stand or fall by. He farther says,

'That the tendences and events of the Symptoms, and the Issue of the Dis∣ease may be known, and a probable Prognostick given, is own'd by the for∣wardness of the common People to give their Opinions. How often have you believed the presumptuous Valuer of himself, who doubts every ones knowledg but his own; when he has assur'd you, had he come sooner the Patient had not died; that another would have expired the next Day, if his advice had been wanting? The Writers of Government prove the Maxims of State from the Axioms of Physick, that one Part overnourisht, starves and enervates the others: That when every Part disregards the Inte∣rest of the Whole, its Dissolution is as certain, as when every Part is vitiated in a shatter'd Constitution.'

Remark. The Doctor would fain raise the Reputation of Physicians with the People, particularly the credit of the new Shopkeepers, but he does it by un∣lucky Arguments; the forwardness of the common People to prognosticate, or run to the Fortuneteller to know the Success of their Amours, Law-suits, &c. is no very convincing Argument that their Oracle is not a Cheat: nor is their Faith in the presumptuous Valuer of himself, who so positively decrees what would have, or not have been, if this, or that; any assurance that he is, or can be what he pretends. But I believe the Doctors may be certain enough in their Prognosticks of the Body Politick; that if the Apothecarys be over nourisht, they will starve the Doctors; or if the Dispensary be over fed (a•• they would wil∣lingly be) they will starve the Apothecaries and other Doctors: and if every Part disregard the Interest of the Whole, the College will soon be dissolved, which

God grant, unless they will effectually reform. Amen. But the Doctor adds,

'If therefore a Physician is suppos'd to have learnt whatever has been obser∣ved of the different Affections and Disorders from Childhood to Old-age, of the Sexes in all the Circumstances, how Seasons and Climates alter us, what changes are made by all sorts of Diet, to have noted the Use and Site of all Parts by Anatomy, the Virtue of Medicines by the trial Chymistry affords, but especially the Histories of the almost innumerable Diseases given by Au∣thors, their Causes, Access, Progress, Events and Consequents of all Me∣thods, and all Medicines, when he reflects on them, and compares them nicely with the Case under his care, you will not oppose him to a Rival who has not had Philosophical Education, or the knowledg of any Language in which Physick is treated. When you have determin'd what time is requir'd to collect from many Writers whatever is useful to the safe and successful Practice of Physick, I would desire you to state the Years wherein any thing certain can be acquir'd from the Prescripts of the Art, without the Reasons given, or any register of the Success. When Nature throws off the Common Disorders of it self, and is able to bear any sort of Physick, the Apotheca∣ry plies the Sick with Medicines he does not want, to pay for attending, magnifies the Disease, and his Skill, &c. In these the most usual Ilnesses, the Physician shews his Art by prognosticating with integrity the assur'd success, which is a richer Cordial than the Shops afford, and merits his Reward. But when there shall be nodus vindice d gnus, when dubiis trepidat victoria pennis; when the Experienc'd Physician will doubt whether Nature acts to its own Preservation, or wants the Assistance of Art, he will examine the Effects of one Medicine before he risques the Use of others; the ignorant and less searful Adviser will not lose the Opportunity of filling the Patient, and the Chamber to his own advantage. These are the Cases in which all the severest, and most just Observations of the present and former Ages must be consulted: the least Errors make the Fever deadly, tho not to be discover'd but by the most consummate Artist. They only can discern when Nature, attackt in all Parts, the Spirits wasted, and Blood exhausted, is easily over-born by an active Cordial, &c. The People indeed are satisfied with the Apothecarys skill, who hears the Physicians disourse upon the Disease. Will you imagine he designs the surest Instruction to his Scholar, who will set up for a Master next hour? But he makes up the Note, and sees the Operation. The In∣strument-maker, tho he make the Knife and Forceps, will not pretend to use them as the Surgeon. I will, after you have consider'd it, desire your Opini∣on whether you would communicate a Specifick efficacious Medicine to the Apothecary, which he would instantly make up for every Customer in the same, or as he thinks not much differing Cases: Will any Merchant or Artificer ex∣pose

the secret of his Business? But we cannot discover our Secrets to any but our own Profession, which is the manner of applying the Medicine to the latent exigence of the Disease. Some Fevers go off, being only undisturbed, Water is the richest Cordial in others, and the rich Composition procures to others a certain Malignity. Will you value the Surgeon from the tipping of his Instruments, or from his Judgment and Steadiness of Hand in using them? The most common and simple may have a better effect than the most pompous Apparatus. The few of our costly Ingredients have been kept in use to cover the Fraud of Exaction, but specially because we please our selves, that they are designed for the use of the Grand Monde, while we pity the little People, who we imagine cannot live without them. But Providence hath otherwise provided in its grand Hospital, we are upon the Level there. The Poor do not want so much as the Rich, but may have the most valued simple Re∣medies, and the best Chymical or Galenical Preparations at an expence they, or their Patrons with an easy Charity may bear.'

Remark. A Physician that is not supposed, but has indeed learned all that has been observed of the Affections, and Disorders of the Sexes in all Ages, &c. that knows the Site and Use of all Parts by Dissections, the Virtues of Medicines by what Chymistry can do, that has at his Fingers ends the Histories of Diseases given by Authors, &c. the Consequences of all Methods and Medi∣dicines, and can compare them nicely on every occasion, is rara Avis in Terra Medicorum, I dare say not ever seen in Warwick-Lane, any more than among the Glister-pipers: The Gentlemen have not many of them so much as look'd into some of these things; particularly Chymea, that coy colley-han∣ded Gentlewoman, has not been courted much by them for her Gifts: and he that should insinuate himself to be one of her Followers, would not be thought likely to have had Philosophical, or Academical Education, which the Doctor is so willing to boast of against the Apothecaries. But I must needs say, neither of the Adversaries have been grounded as they ought in Philosophy, especially the Experimental; but as being an Apothecary does not make a Man incapable of it, so being of the College, yea of the Dispensary, does not necessarily include it. Many Apothecaries have attained the Latin Tongue, and something of Greek, before put Apprentice, and may improve in Language, and read the Secrets which the Doctors did; but if none of them had so done, there are English Books enough written by some of the Faculty, that could write in no other Lan∣guage. Besides, if one of the D••spensary says true (and they are the honest Part) nothing has been written of any certain Truth,

Till be arose, and with reviving Light Dispel'd the Clouds, and chas'd away the Night.

See the Dialogue with Alkaly; and he himself writes in a ••ort of English. The time to collect whatever is useful to the successful Practice of Physick, wherein any thing certain can be acquired, would be too long for one Man to see the end of the Process. As the Apothecary plies the Sick with Medicines he does not want, so the Doctor will not be wanting to write, where there is no need but of a Fee; or to visit, and advise some little thing or other, that the Patient may not think he sees him for nothing: he will alike magnify his Art, and the Disease, tho both be little, and will give that most rich Cordial of assured Success, which is very commonly indeed the best Medicine he gives, and gets the willingest Fee by; which he knows better than to refund, when time has discovered his Assurance not well grounded. But there are knotty and doubtful Diseases he confesses, even to the experienced Physician, when in fear he knows not whether he had best prescribe or no; he wisely thinks he does best that tampers least, and would have the Patients think such a one deserves his Fee best that has troubled them least. But 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. says Hippocrates. Imperitia vero ma∣lus Thesaurus, & malus agger Timiditatis, & Audaciae nutrix. Timidit as quidem Impotentiam, Audacia vero Ignorantiam Artis significat. The less fearful Advi∣ser no doubt will physick them more briskly, that he may have the more pretence to merit, and Opportunity to get, especially if he may not take a Fee. But I be∣lieve if either the fearful Dr. or confident Apothecary, vel Vice versa, should con∣sult all the severe and just Observations of the present and former Ages, they would have neither time to prescribe, or make up Medicines in any acute Disease: and should the least Errors make the Fever deadly, it would be an incurable Dis∣temper, nor would one Patient in 10000 be ever the better for a consummate Ar∣tist, when our Age has not produced him, unless the Dispensary Dr. who says,

To him alone Mankind's indebted more Than t'all the Doctors that have gone before,

be the Man; such a one perhaps may discern when he has exhausted the Blood, and wasted the Spirits, and Nature will be overborn by an active Cordial. But the Doctor is afraid the People will think the Apothe∣caries skilful (that Gentleman has assur'd us, his Master was not) by hearing the Doctor talk, and by making up his Medicines, and seeing their Operations; tho he assures us he has been careful lest he should give him any sure Instruc∣tions: but if his Instructions by his Practice be so fallacious, he that designs to be skill'd will take a better Method to learn than the Sight of the fearful or confident Doctor's Practice can be, whose Instruments could he but know their use, as well as the Surgeon does his, there were more occasion of Caution who looks on. There has been no great danger of Apothecaries learning

Efficacious Specificks of the Doctors, since they practise by the Dispensatory; or the Sick finding the Benefit, since it is dishonourable to give a private Medi∣cine without Writing. But the manner of applying the Medicine to the la∣tent Exigence of the Disease, he tells us, is the Doctors Secret; so not the Medicine it self, or its artful Preparation: yet it is to be applied to something la∣tent, must we think it so to the Doctor, or is it that which is adapted to escape on∣ly the Eyes of the Apothecary? May not he possibly learn what Fevers will go off of themselves, or to give them a Specifick that will only do no hurt? Cannot he disguise a sufficient quantity of Aqua simplex, or Dr. Bates's Hy∣dropeg. to reckon the value of two or three Guineas for; and so save the charge of a Dispensatory costly malignant Composition? The Judgment of the Physician will never make either a bad Medicine valuable, or him so who has no good ones, any more than the tipping of the Instruments will render a Surgeon skilful, or the sweetness of the Syrups and Conserves recommend either the Dr. that prescribes them, or the Apothecary that prepares them. But a Sur∣geon that knows not whether his Instruments be good, cannot be thought very expert, any more than a Doctor that knows not the Medicines he prescribes. The Doctors having but newly set up, and not made any great returns, would have us suppose common and cheap Medicines the best, that the less Stock may serve; rich active Medicines we cannot expect there, they so complain against them, they are but to cover the Fraud of the exacting Apothecaries. But that they may not lose the small Fish, the Poor are promised the most valued Simples, and the best Chymical and Galenical Preparations at a small expence; which if they cannot pay, they must endeavour to get their Patrons to do for them: but whatever of the most valued Simples may be found in the Reposito∣ry, I will promise neither Poor nor Rich shall be able to purchase the best Chymical Preparations thence. He says further,

'To demonstrate this, I will remove the Rubbish, and lay before you the Simples of the greatest Virtue, and best Preparations, supported by the best Trials of Chymistry, and constant Experience. Gold, the great Idol of Mankind, must be rejected as useless, while it makes the World restless, and anxious to obtain it; it has in it self no active Parts or energy to procure any Effect, it is not dissolvable by any Humour in the Body; nothing there can alter it, or be altered by it: The compact heavy sluggish Parts resist the Impression of every Animal Agent, which on the other side are secure from any Power it has. The golden Pill in the twisting of the Bowels by its weight only, may open the passage, but it costs you only for the Use of it. The leas Gold on Boles, &c. divert the Mind from the Tast, only by the Pleasure of seeing it; adds nothing to the Virtue, and only a trifle to the Expence: the Leaf may lie on the Mouths of the Vessels undissolved, and it

prevents the dissolving of purging and alterative Pills if well gilded, un∣less to your good Fortune the Cover happens to be broken.'

Remark. If the Doctor would be plain, I suppose Gold is none of the Rubbish he would have removed from the Dispensary; tho he would not have it come too much into the Apothecaries Shop. But for the Credit of Chy∣mistry, and its greatest Masters, I must tell him he is not supported by its best Trials: the greatest Physicians and Chymists the World has had, affirm it capable of Preparation into very great Medicines; and even in Substance it has been supposed by no small Men, to be of considerable Efficacy; witness the famed Cure of the King's Evil, where Gold must not be omitted or laid a∣side, but the Disease returns. Doctors themselves are very anxious to obtain this Rubbish, or they would never quarrel with the Apothecaries for getting it from them; and if it makes them so restless, it must needs have active Parts: quod agit agit is undoubtedly true. But methinks any Man that experiences the getting of Gold, may be sensible how refreshing it is, and how it sets all Wheels agoing. But to come a little nearer, if Gold were not dissolvable in any of our Humours, it does not follow that it may not be a Medicine; What Humour will dissolve burnt Hartshorn in the Decoct. album, Sulphur, some Gums, Woods, Stones, and other things commonly used by Doctors? But that Gold does not resist the Impression of every Animal Agent, the Doc∣tor might have known if he had been something of a Chymist. That Body that the strongest Aqua Fortis will not work upon, it easily tore to pieces by the addition of a little Sal-armoniack, and then by the addition of a little Spi∣rit of Ʋrine precipitated into a Pouder, perhaps the most active Body in Na∣ture, viz. Aurum fulminans, which in some Cases is not a contemptible Medicine; but when it shall be opened and volatilized, it will do what the Doctor never saw performed. Whether crude Gold does either good or hurt taken inwardly, is not very apparent; I believe the Doctor never saw the Guts twisted (an Anato∣mist would hardly think it possible) or was sure they were untwisted by the Golden Pill. If the Leaf may stop the Mouths of the Vessels, which the Doc∣tor is not certain of, the Animal would not be secure from its Power to obstruct, which is sometimes profitable, but the Doctor be sure to contradict himself. If it would prevent the Dissolution of the Pills, it might sometimes be to the Patients good Fortune.

'But Bezoar (says he) is rejected by most Physicians, who think on what they advise. It has the use of the Philosophers Stone, procures Gold, or much Silver to every thing where it is a part: it adds to the Dose only two Pence; but the very Name Bezoardick makes the cheapest Boles and Juleps pass off at any Price. Large Pearls look well on a healthy Skin; but History does not tell us, that which Cleopatra drank improved her Health.

The Pearl Juleps have their value from the Cordial Water, and white Sugar; they may take it for the suture 3 or 4 Pence the Dose.'

Remark. The Virtues of Bezoar have not been found so great as the Value, the Doctor is right here; it may serve as an Absorbent, but other things easier to be purchased by young Shopkeepers will do. The same must be said of Pearls, unless radically dissolved: greater effects have not been found by them given in Substance, than may be procured by Oyster Shells, or the like. But I am not of the Doctor's Opinion, that the Pearl Juleps take any of their Virtue from the Sugar, unless to please the Tast, to which tho it be so grateful, it is not so to a Sick Stomach, and a Feverish Blood, being apt to ferment and trun sour: Yet if any Gentleman or Lady is pleased to make use of either of these, it is to be had at the Shop at the College in Warwick-Lane, over against Frost's Coffee-House, and at the two gilded Spires in St. Martins Lane; the Doctor assures you cheap and good. He goes on,

'Ambergrease and Musk are offensive to many, from the Name as well as Scent, corrupt the Blood, and Spirits, and by altering the Breath make the use in Perfumes more necessary; the Confections and Waters are more wholesom without them, &c.'

Remark. That Ambergrease and Musk corrupt the Blood and Spirits, the Doctor has never found by any certain Experiment, I believe; but that they re∣fresh the Spirits, most Authors agree with Doctor Experience. Some Persons have a peculiar disgust at the most innocent thing; but otherwise grateful Scents are very welcome to Nature, and the small Quantity that is given, they acting only by their Flavor or Odor, makes the use of them cheap enough. The Doctors need not fear the charge of keeping a little of them.

'Our precious Stones cost little (continues he) and are worth nothing. The Hyacinth, Smaragd. &c. finely poudred, are as useful as Glass well pre∣pared: the famous Confect of Hyacinth sells two Pence the Dose; Oil of Cinnamon, or other Chymical Oils given but to few Drops, are to be e∣steemed at the most inconsiderable Price in so small a Quantity. Balm of Gilead to be taken in Drops, or mixt up in Pills, these Drops will rise to about a Farthing each. Cochineal promises to impart its Colour to the Blood, and dismiss the Paleness of the Checks; but we borrow it from the Dyers, at much less cost than the former.'

Remark. It is true, the precious Stones the Doctors have ordered the A∣pothecaries to keep, and abused in Physick, are of very little worth, unless they are large; they shew the Igonrance of those that have prescribed them in their Receits, but some are to be commended for beginning to be wiser. Chy∣mical Oils are of a great Value as to use, being the Essences of those Herbs that yield them, but are commonly given in too small a Quantity, or not us'd as

they ought to produce the Effects they otherwise might. That Cochineal promi∣ses its colour to the Blood, I never heard till now, or that any suppose it will tinge the Cheeks unless outwardly us'd: This notable Body is also given in too small a Quantity to discover its Effects, tho the Price of it need not hinder its use. But the Doctor had rather be in the Fields.

'I divert you (says he) from the more pleasant prospect of the Gardens, Fields, Woods, Rivers, which plentifully afford us the most effectual and cer∣tain Relief: their value in the Quantities us'd at one time are below any Coin, and the Cooking in small proportions will not amount to much more.'

'The Flowers, Fruits and Seeds, the Leaf, Root, Wood, and Bark are distil'd simply, or with Water, or Spirit of Wine; beaten with Sugar into Con∣serves, boil'd into Syrups; compound the Pounders, Troches, and Pills; with Water or Wine, make the Decoctions, and Apozems. The Conserves in the Dose are a Farthing or two, the Syrups not much more; Pouders a Penny the Scruple, or half a Dram. The famous Gascoin Pouder without Bezoar; or 4 Pence the Dose: Waters distil'd from Spirit of Wine therefore us'd in small quantities, not dearer than a Glass of Wine. But the Ingredients better cho∣sen, or singly infus'd in a proper simple distil'd Water, would prove more Alexiterial, and deserve the title of High Rich Cordial at a less Expence. When you have tasted the former Cordials in your Friends Chamber, have you not felt the Tumult in your Stomach of such a Rabble of the Spices, which broil'd by the Fire disturb you an your aster, and make you pity his Condition under the often repeated Doses? The Apozems Hepatick, Splenetick, Diuretick, or Sudorifick, are made at 2d. 4d. or 6d. the Quart in Spring Water, which divi∣ded and sent in little Glasses rise beyond the Price of Burgundy. You may hence judg of our Oils, Ointments, and Plasters; that the Surgeon reward∣ed for his Skill and Care, does not put you in mind of the Cost he has been put to thro the whole Cure. You are well acquainted with the Prices of Drugs imported; as they are most of a hot Spicy Nature, their Dose can be but small, the Price proportionable. If many are absurdly join'd toge∣ther, the Quantity of each is so much the less. The Treacle of 60 Drugs does not claim a Penny the Dose.'

Remark. Vegetables distil'd simply are for the most part Simple, or no Me∣dicines; can serve only for Vehicles, but when kept a little are commonly corrupted, and some way ill tasted; some fair times of the Year is more wholesom than most of their Preparations commonly in Use, if the sick could but walk out and take it. The Distilling some of them with simple distil'd Water yields nothing but simple distil'd Water, and Spirit of Wine raises no∣thing from others. A good Pharmaceutick must know the Nature of the thing,

and adapt his Menstrums, which the Learned have not well done in the London Dispensatory in many Receits: The huddling up a Farrago of different things with Honey, or Sugar, has not shown much of their skill, or the Reason of the Composition of their Pouders much appear'd. But our reform'd Doctor is of Opinion that the Ingredients insus'd in a simple distill'd Water would be more Alexiterial, and be richer Cordials than distil'd from Spirit of Wine: but I think the Doctor canot be excus'd of Ignorance here, for Spirit of Wine is certainly a better Cordial than simple Water; every Porter knows the Differ∣cence between the Cock and the Brandy-bottle. But those things which are or∣der'd to be distil'd with Spirit of Wine by those that know what they do, are full of oily Parts which will not be extracted, and mixt with simple Water; and to give all things in substance would so clog the Stomach with the Quan∣tities of the Husks that hold the small Proportion of Medicinal Juices, that no other Effect would be produced but the Oppression of Nature. A rabble of Spices cannot be conjoyn'd by any that would have their single Virtues to be seen; nor will they be broil'd in Spirit of Wine by one that knows how to work; and a small Glass of a pure Cordial Spirit I'l engage shall remain more grateful to the Stomach of sick or well, than half a Pint or a Pint of a muddy loathsom Infusion or Decoction that will corrupt in a few days time. But I hope the Doctors of the Dispensary will not pretend to keep Oils, Ointments and Plasters, these belong to the Surgeon, unless they will be so kind also as to let him have them at the intrinsick Value, that he may no more be cheated by the A∣potheracy. The Surgeon is now become the honestest fellow of all, (whatever he may be for healing those Sores that wont't be well without internal Remedies) he outdoes the Di••pensary Men by their own confession; he demands not so much as the cost he has been at, but is contended to be sufficiently paid for his skill, care and pains. The Dispensary will reckon 3s. a day for Medicines; but why may not the Apothecary be as honest as either, and keep a few ordinary Herbs, and cheap Drugs, and cook them in his pipkin, and reckon nothing but for his Skill and Visits? I should think what is sauce for a Goose might be sauce for a Gander also. But says the Doctor further,

'You may judg of the easy expence of what we advise by another view, the various Operations. The famous Vomitive is a Penny, Tartar Emetick not a Farthing, that of the Salt no more, Oximel the Value of the first; Pills for the Head, Stomach, Bowels, of different force, the price of a Penny; the altera∣tive Nephritick Antihysterical Pills made of cheap Pouders, are valuable only for the Success. I need not inform you how easily the fillings of Steel are pro∣cur'd. If you infuse them with bitter Plants, or boil to a Syrup, you will readily estimate a Quart. All the Ecphractisk, or Deobstruents, and Aperi∣tives, Incrassating, or Astringents, agree in their great use, and almost inexpressi∣ble

cheapness. It must be own'd the Purges of Rhubard, &c. are other∣wise to be prized, but it is us'd but once a day, and not hastily repeated, &c.'

Remark. The Doctor sets up another inch of Candle, that you may have ano∣ther view of the cheap pennyworths he has at his Shop: This famous Vomit is a Penny per Dose, his head-Pills, stomach-Pills, bowel-Pills no more; cheaper than Tom Saffold's 18 for 18 pence, altho too cheap in any Man's own sense: But the other that are valuable only for their success (the true rule of valuing all Remedies) will often have no value at all. A few Doses of Iron in a Quart of Water, you may have very cheap. Aperitives, and Astringents, the Keys of our Bodies, of such great use, can hardly have any price. Rubard indeed, that so finely opens the Backdore, and shuts it after it, you must pay a little dearer for now and then; and if you meet with one of Doctor Harvey's Medici stercorarii, he perhaps will prescribe you nothing else. But he tells us farther,

'That out of these Drugs many kinds of Chymical Medicines are prepar'd at the Expence of only Fire, and the Use of the Glasses, in great quantities. If you pay for Spirit of Hartshorn, Sal-armon, &c. Tinct. of Castor, Amber-Saffron, the compound Elixirs, the Acid Spirits, or their Antagonists, the fixt Salts, the Vitriolate Tartar, or other digestives, one Shilling or two the ounce, you will with the Vehicle, after many days use, compute your daily expence of Physick. The Porter that drinks a cup of stronger Ale instead of many of the smaller, saves his time and his pocket, and is at a greater charge than the Patient.'

Remark. If the Doctor had been us'd to Chymistry, he would have known that its preparations are not made at the mere expence of Fire, and use of Glasses, which were it so would not be a small Expence; in many Preparations great Fires are us'd; and Glasses serve but once, sometimes not once, but break, and lose a thing of great value: besides, there is sometimes a large expence of time the most precious thing of all, and a great deal of labour. The very Cheap∣ness of the Chymical Spirits, Tinctures, fixt Salts, &c. has arose much from the Sophistication. And tho the Doctor before disliked spirituous and active Me∣dicines, he now commends them by the Example of the prudent Porter who saves Time and Pocket, he might have said Heart and Belly too, by drinking a little of the stronger Ale. Medicines of active parts are really the most conveni∣ent, like keen Instruments, unless they happen in the hands of Fools or Mad∣men, that cut and slash they known not why. But says he,

'If in a Fever, the Small-pox, &c. the Physician cools the Blood, and tempers the heat, shall the Apozem of almost the Saller Herbs, with cheap sweetning Pouders, and cheaper Sal prunella, &c. and Julep of simple Waters made to tast a little of a Cordial water, raise the cost higher than com∣mon

Sapports in Health? If the Blood and Spirits are opprest in the Malig∣nant, shall the Treacle, Mithridate, &c. the Aromaticks and Alexiterials, &c. be esteemed but from their effects of sweating, and heating the Blood? If the Patient be not incessantly plied, and the Physician will have care when he has done enough for one day, and will give the Patient a little rest, before he sets him another Task: If the Fever truly intermits, has no Malignity, &c. you may use the Bark only prepared by poudering, which costs no more than the Wine you drink it with. I have heard you extol the wonder∣ful Force of Opiates, from your Experience, in Cholick and Nephritick Pains. 'Tis true, that Plant has no equal among the Vegetables, nor does any Metal or Mineral pretend to rival it; but the richest Preparation of this great Ano∣dyne raises no in quietude upon any other Circumstance: The poor may have it as well as the richest, from a small Charity, which will give the Donor the ease it procures to the Patients pain. It is not therefore demonstrated, that in Sickness no Constitution can bear the use of more than two or three Shillings value in a Day? The dearest Cordial Waters, and Alexiterial Pouders cannot in the time be used above that Price, without inflaming the Blood and Spirits into a Delirium, and forcing our common putrid Fevers into malignant. The milder Diaphoreticks, Diureticks and Alteratives don't pretend to be rated with the other; but in our common Fevers these assist Nature, the others de∣stroy it.'

Remark. In Fevers, and Small-pox, tho the Doctor seels his Sallets and other Coolers, or his sweetning Pouders with his simple Juleps, very cheap; yet his cooling, and exhausting the Blood, and thereby checking the Motion of Nature, in casting off the Morbifick matter, often costs the Patient dear, even his Life. If in Fevers more malignant, Treacle, Mithridate, and Aroma∣ticks, &c. are to be esteemed for their Virtues of sweating, and heating the Blood; how can they be condemned so in milder Fevers? And why may not the cooling Apozems be used here, where there is more heat? But why may not Doctor err in cooling, and fixing too much, assoon as in heating and dissolving too much? I should think either Method may tire the Patient, or Nature it self; but if those things are given which ought to be given, viz. proper Medicines, it is natural to suppose they ought not to be any Gravamen, but a Levamen to Nature. The Bark is most of it faise, and every Doctor does not know the true, or best way to give it; and the false will cost a Man dear sometimes. Opium is a thing of great Force, but it has a Malignity in it, which none of our common Artists know how to separate without spoiling it; if that were done, a Dose might deserve a Doctor's Fee: but I cannot yield to the Doctor, that it has not its equal among the Vegetables; there are many other Poisons as effectual, and if skilfully prepared, of good use, tho none so

much used; nor can I be persuaded but that there are many Plants that have as eminent Virtues for their proper Ends, without so much Malignity, as Opium: Metals and Minerals, I must tell him, pretend to exceed it; the ano∣dyne Sulphur of Venus has its Virtue without its Poison, but the Doctor will laught at that as a Chymera. The ignorant will deny the being of that which is beyond their Skill. But I must tell him, we Chymists have known Rest procu∣red by a Preparation of Copper, when Opinium would not do it. The Doctor thinks he has demonstrated, that no Patient can well take more than 2 or 3 Shillings a day in Physick; but if he had well demonstrated, what they ought to expend in Fees for the intrinsick value of Advice, we might have had more Encouragement to come to their Shop: I wish he has shown how Cordial Alexiterial Medicines cure in malignant Fevers, and destroy in the commons and that the Mild assist Nature only in these, but not in the other. But to go on, says the Doctor,

'Where's then the Mystery of raising the Bill to 1, 2, 3 or 4 Pounds each Day, by the Artifice of raising the Part equal to the whole, and sending the Apozem, or Julep in little Parcels? The Electuary is sold well at 2 s. 6 d. but the Boles come to each as much, tho it afford to Children 20 Boles. The contrivance of giving in a parcht Mouth, fur'd Throat, and nauseating Stomach, an ill tasted Bole, when the languishing Patient can swallow no∣thing but Liquids, has been reserved for this Age. The Bole of fulsom Conserve, or Treacle, is to be taken every 3d, 4th or 5th Hour, which dispels all Rest, &c. There's a little Julep ready to wash it down: and this is of the greatest Consequence to the Apothecary; because the Town has been used to pay 2 s. 6 d. for each Bole, and not much less for the Draught to cleanse the Mouth after it. This Advice was given to a Physician at his first entrance on the Stage, to order a Bole with a Draught every fourth Hour; which however it fare with the Patient, would recommend him to the Apotheca∣ries.'

'The honest Physician mixes the Bole and Julep together, that the feeble Pa∣tient may drink his Cordial, to revive and compose him, without the Dis∣turbance of taking it at twice, and with Difficulty the other way.'

Remark. There's now no Mystery of raising the Bill to so many Pounds, since the Doctor has discovered it; 'tis well when Men begin to have some Con∣science, and discover one anothers unlawful Gains. The contrivance of giv∣ing ill-tasted and fulsom, either Boles or any thing else, muddly horrid Decoc∣tions and Infusions at any time, is not proper for a nauseating or well Sto∣mach, a fur'd Throat, or parcht Mouth, and whatever they are mixt with, to delude the Stomach to admit them, it commonly suffers for it afterwards. I do not wonder at the Advice given to the Doctor, at his first entrance on the

Stage; nor do I think the Mountebank, if he knew his Interest, did re∣ject it. But it is a strange Character of an honest Physician, or Dispensa∣ry-Doctor, that he is one that mixes his Bole and Julep together, and won't let his Patient have the pleasant relish of the Liq••or at last, with∣out the horrid Tast of the Bole: I hope he will order hi•• some fine sim∣ple thing or other, seeing he can afford things so cheap to wash both a∣way. In my Opinion it would be the part of a more honest, or at least wiser Physician, never to give any thing that will disturb his Patient. But says the Doctor,

'I presume you will allow the Corollary, that by much Physick divided in∣to little Parcels, and rated high, the Apothecary has in the Reward of his Attendance (which by the Physician is often excused) much greater Fees, often trebly or quadruply more than the Faculty. You will not be surprised, if it be asserted, that in a Bill of 10l. nine are the Rewards of his Advice, and Attendance. The People must accuse their own Conduct, who never gratifying the Apothecary's Visits, oblige him to bring in for every 3 or 4 Hours and several Days, as much as will answer one of the ends he proposes to himself. Can he thus neglected by his Customers, with Safety to himself advise the Waters, Milk, Temperance, Repose, Exercise, a peculiar Diet, or the Country Air, by which obstinate Diseases are cured, to the reproach of the Compositions of the Shop? But what redress can be expected to these Grievances? There must be certain Rates set to all the Medicines, with the greatest Encouragements to the Apothecaries to prepare them faithfully. They must bring their Number by the most proper Methods to be equal to the Occasion the City has for using their Preparations. The former antiqua∣ted Methods must be revived, by which the People were east without the present either Suspicions, or Complaints. The Physicians lay under no Temp∣tation to impose on the Publick, they advised at their own Houses in the Chronical, or less dangerous Disorders, and distinguished in their Visits the Differences of the Condition of the Persons, and Diseases; and arrived to a Re∣putation, not by the basest Arts, but their Care, and the Merit of the Suc∣cess.'

Remark. The Burden of this long Song against the Apothecaries is still, that they are too numerous for the Doctors, and get as much or more Money for their Medicines, than the Doctors can for Advice. But after all this out∣cry against them for multiplying the Numbers of themselves and Medicines, he confesses the Peoples Conduct is to be accused as the Cause as these Evils, by not gratifying the Apothecary with Fees for his Visits; and so obliging him to bring in so many Medicines as will answer one End he proposes, viz. a Li••elyhood: If the People would be but so wise, as to give the Apothecary

his Fee for Advice or Attendance, and the College would be so good as not to persecute him for taking it, he might afford his Wares as cheap as the Shop∣keepers in Warwick and St. Martins-Lanes, and might advise his Patients the most compendious and easy Method, and do for them as he would for himself, or own Family; he might keep a smaller and more select Number of Reme∣dies, and advise the Waters, Milk, Temperance, Repose, &c. and live as well as the other Tradesmen, and do the People more good, and less harm at less charge, than he does by every 3 or 4 Hours Repetaturs; and cure stubborn Diseases, by hindering the Sick from taking the reproachful Physick either of the new or old Shops. But the Redress the Doctor proposes of these Grievances, I think is ridiculous, viz. the Apothecaries to encourage them to pre∣pare their Remedits faithfully, and give but few of them, must have their Medicins rates at a small Price by the Doctors; which were it reasonable, could not easily be done by those Gentlemen, not yet well skilled in Drugs and Preparations. Yet this won't do alone, their Numbers must be reduced to equal the Occasion the City has for their Preparations: How shall we know what Numbers will serve, or what Occasions the City may have for their Preparations? some affec∣ted Chymist would say, the City has no occasion for any Galenical Stuff; and I to be free must say, for most of it. But what are the proper Methods to re∣duce them, or which ought to be discarded, that the Remnant may live, by selling a few Medicines of small Value? shall they be condemned to be hanged, and cast Lots to save one in ten? Shall the greatest Part be pressed to fight the French, put in the Front and be slain by the Sword, or the Enemy, for being so unfortunate as to possess the fair Lady Pecunia, which the ruling Doctors are so passionately in love with? But after all I must tell him, I hate this wicked monopolizing Policy of men, that would get a good Trade into few Hands: This is not the way to have the People served honestly, when they cannot go to him that will use them best; but the Commodities are ingrossed, and sold by a Combination. If the Apothecaries do increase more in Propor∣tion than other People, their own Increase will destroy them, the Trade will be good for nothing, and none will put their Sons to it; but their Apprentices serving 8, when other Trades do but 7 Years, would persuade one they can∣not outgrow their Trade.

What the antiquated Methods are the Doctor talks of, as desirous to have revived, I don't know. But such they must be, that the People will not easily suspect or complain of the cheat, but be easy under it, while the Doctors easily get their Money. But if such a Method were ever in use, or may be contrived, where the Physicians lie under no Temptation to impose on the Publick, that I should be for; and such wherein they might arrive to Reputation, not by base Arts, but by their Care, and the Merit of their Success, that I should

extremely like: But I think our honest Doctors and Merchants have not yet proposed any such Method, neither shall I now attempt it, but rather expect it in the honest Country-Physician's Answer to this long and tedious Epis∣tle.