Agyrto-mastix, or, Some brief animadversions upon two late treatises one of Master George Thomsons, entituled Galeno-pale, the other of Master Thomas O'Dowdes, called The poor mans physitian : with a short appendix relating to the Company of Apothecaries / by William Johnson, chymist to the Kings Colledge of Physitians in London.

The Appendix.

Worthy Gentlemen,

WHen I first undertook an An∣swer to these indirect Practi∣tioners in Physick, I also in∣tended to offer something oy way of Pro∣posal, or rather a most Humble Address to You; The President, Fellows, and Commonalty of the Kings Colledge of Physitians in this Famous City; As also to the Master, Wardens, and Company of Apothecaries, in order to the recti∣fying of some Enormous abuses, that within the space of some fevv years past, have crept into the general Practise of Physick.

But having perused a little Book En∣tituled,

A Letter concerning the present State of Physick; Written by a Person of Quality, and without dispute great Learning, who has so effectually and fully discust the whole matter, and pro∣posed such excellent means and wayes, as well to prevent the like for the future, as for the advancing all the desiderata of this Profession; in all which his principal aim is, the restoring of this Practise of Phy∣sick to its antient Constitution, which, as this Worthy Gentleman sayes, Till good Learning came to be over-thrown and laid wast by the Furious irruption of the Goths (though it now stands devided, between the Chirurgeon and Apothecary, was then the sole care of the Physitian onely; and tis very true, they did then offici∣ate in all the faculties of Physick: But it is observ'd likewise, that this Profession in general never flourish'd better then it has in these three Branches, (viz.) Phy∣sitians, Chirurgeons, and Apothecaries; nor has there been a greater improve∣ment in Physick, in any Age of the

World, then what has been made with∣in this Thirty years last past; and I pre∣sume without disparagement to any, I may affirm, this to have been brought about, by the Industry and Pains, prin∣cipally of the Honourable Society of Physitians in London, as well in the busi∣ness of Anatomy, as Physick: Nor has the Chirurgeons, and Apothecaries been unuseful in this advancement; but each of them in their respective Sphears, have been Exemplary to our Neighbouring Nations.

Then, what remains to the perfect advancement of this God-like Profession, but a reuniting of the whole Body con∣sisting of these Branches) into those true and amicable respects, in which current, to this day Physick has so well prospered; and the rather, because, as this noble Gentleman has well observ'd, it might other∣wayes Be lookt upon in respect of these (though additional) two very Worthy So∣cieties of Men (Chirurgeons and Apothe∣caries) as a thing extreamly unreasonable to

undertake such an alteration, as the restoring of that antient way would necessarily intro∣duce: Besides the great difficulty must needs be expected in bringing this ex∣pedient to its intended perfection, it may probably be conjectured, that then the continuance of more time, with some other inconveniences falling in, may again produce the same exigen∣cy.

Wherefore I humbly suppose, as be∣ing of the same sentiment (in that par∣ticular) with this Noble Gentleman, the best expedient, for the rectification of all past abuses, and to free this Ho∣nourable Profession of Physick from all those degenerating Vipers, (that do not only eat out her bowels, by their sinister practises, but by their illiterate, rude behaviour, stick on it, like dirt) will in my opinion be found to be, if the Col∣ledge would please (continuing to own the improvement of Rational Chymi∣stry) as an addition to all their former manifeftations; procure (as this Gentle∣man

advises) by an address to His Ma∣jesty, a Publick Authority, and Com∣mand, that all Apothecaries may be ob∣lig'd, to buy those Chymical Prepara∣tions made in their Publick Elaboratory for the use of His Majesties Subjects, or else give satisfaction to the Colledge, that they have the same of their own ma∣king, to the end, that no Chymical Pre∣parations may be taken into their shops, from the hands of any unskilful or disho∣nest Operator, but from such only as shall be allow'd by the Colledge; the ra∣ther, because there are several in this City, who have serv'd an Apprentiship to this profession, and are esteem'd per∣sons of such Integrity, that what Me∣dicines soever they sell, the Colledge (to whom in obedience they will be ready to give satisfaction in this point) may acquiesce in their just prepatation; for further satisfaction to the Colledge, I humbly propose, that the Master and Wardens of the Company of Apotheca∣ries, would please to Enact, under a se∣vere

penalty, that from henceforth none of their Members, shall use, or put to sale any dispenst Medicine, but what they either make themselves, or for con∣venience in their Trade be furnisht by some Member of their own Society; since that by this means the Mystery of Physick will not only be preserved with her due bounds, but the profession will be much advanc't, and that door, by which all the fore-mentioned abuses crept in, will be stopt up: Thus much I humbly offer as my own private thoughts and desires, begging pardon, if I have too much pre∣sumed.

I cannot after all, better conclude then with the words of that incomparable Epi∣stle; Since then, Worthy Doctors, Your selves look upon Rational Chymistry, as an Excellent way of enquiry into the na∣tures of things, and managed with sound Reason and Philosophy, an excellent way also of preparing Medicines; Since you are as much conversant in Chymical Au∣thous,

as any others, and have as many, and more assistances, of learning and ex∣perience to judge of them; to all which I may very well add, since you have also a Perfect and Candid Resolution to Countenance and Improve them; as I am Bound in Duty, so I humbly make Bold to Offer the Continuance of my Devo∣ted Service, in what ever your Honours shall be pleased to imploy,

Your most Humble and, Faithfull Servant, William Iohnson.

FINIS.