The Statutes of the Colledge of Physicians London worthy to be perused by all men, but more especially physicians, lawyers, apothecaries, surgeons, and all such that either do, or shall study, profess, or practise physick.

CHAP. I. Of Creating the Electors.

WE Constitute therefore and Or∣dain, That out of the number of the Fellows, Eight only Elect∣ors be created, who for gravity, learning, manners, and age, excel the rest; and that they be dignified with the Degree of Doctor, and are by birth English men, whose Office it shall be, by the Authority of the Colledge, the day after St. Michael, if conveniently it can be done, but if for some great impediments, that will not be lawful, then on some other day for that business more convenient, so that it be within a week from the time appointed in the greater Comitia or Meetings, to choose a President out of the number of the Electors, if the President of the fore∣going year having performed his annual Office, be remaining; but if he be want∣ing, as soon as that can conveniently be

done, to substitute another, at the most within Twenty days after he has been wanting; but we understand a President or an Elector to be wanting, if he be ei∣ther dead, or expelled the Colledge, or departed from the City with his family, and he be wanting for a whole year, unless he be in the service of the Prince.

If one or more of the Elect have been so wanting, let one or more by a New Ele∣ction be substituted in his or their place, out of the rest of the Fellows, who shall be of the same Nation, Degree, Manners, Learning, and Rank, within Thirty, or at most Forty days; but so that at those Co∣mitia or Meetings, only the Electors be present, to the intent that a more free Election be made, and a more just exami∣nation of manners, wisdom, gravity, and learning, all which vertues are chiefly required by the Statutes of the Kingdom in an Elector.

He that is to be chosen, shall first be ex∣amined by the Electors, as is provided for by the Statutes of the Kingdom, then let him be chosen by the consent of them all if it may be, if not by the greatest part;

but if their Votes are even, by the senior part.

And if by reason of the reigning of a Plague, or some other cause, the Electors are out of Town, so that a certain day can∣not be appointed, then it shall be lawful for the President, at what time and place conveniently may be, to call the E∣lectors.

If any of the Electors have left the Ci∣ty, and made his aboad with his Fa∣mily for the space of a whole year, in any place beyond seven miles from the City, he, unless he be the Kings Physician, or otherwise detained in the service of the Prince, shall lose his place among the E∣lectors, and another shall be substituted by the President and Electors; yet we will that he keep his place and dignity in the Colledge, if in the mean time he shall certifie the President of the cause of his absence.

He shall promise that he will give his Consent or Vote for none to be created President or Elector, unless according to the form of the Statute, and that he per∣fectly know and understand his gravity,

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learning, honest behaviour, decent age, and sincere affection to the Colledge and the Common-wealth, and readiness to perform his duty.