CHAP. XI. What caution must beeused in chusing Physitians, Apothecaries and Surgeons, who may have care of such as are taken with the Plague.
IT is the part of Magistrates in the so great necessity of the afflicted common-wealth, to appoint learned, skilfull, and honest Physiti∣ans, Surgeons, and Apothecaries, and such as have more regard to the law of God than to gaine, to have the care & cure of such as are visited. But principally let them not take Surgeons and Apothe∣caries called by proclamation with sound of trumpet, that if they will take this charge, they shall become free without examination or reward. But let them rather be allured by gifts and honest rewards, not only then when as necessity urgeth, but also after the plague is over. For such servant Surgeons and Apothecaries as are called by proclamation, so to gaine freedome, are most commonly unskilfull and unexperienced Dunces, who, conscious of their owne ignorance, and fearing to undergoe the examination of the Masters of their Companies, refuse no hazzard, however dangerous, with desire to obtaine their freedome.
It is farre worse and more dangerous to fall into the hands of such, than into the hands of theeves and murderers, for these, by providence or strength, wee may chance to escape; but wee seeke for and embrace the other, and having found them, lay our throats bare unto them, so by their unskilfulnesse to be burchered. Certain∣ly by the fault of the times, and the neglect of Magistrates, it is almost come to this passe, that if any honest and learned Physitians and Surgeons shall undertake this cure, they are commonly forced thereto by the Magistrate for feare of banishment or fining. Therefore because they doe it against their wills, they shew themselves lesse vigilant, cheerefull and painefull about the sicke. They come unwillingly and compelled hereto, because by the memory of the forepast time, they sufficiently know, how sordide and basely Magistrates, when the plague hath beene overpast, have bin in paying the promised reward to men of their condition, who have slout∣ly run into danger; for thence it happens that during the rest of their lives they may sit idle at home, for that they are infamous and feared by the people onely for this, that a while agone they visited such as had the plague. Therefore I would have Ma∣gistrates prudent, faithfull, and free in choosing honest, learned and skilfull men, who may undergoe this so difficult and dangerous a charge.