A Short View of the Frauds and Abuses Committed by Apothecaries

Trade, and by supposition that gain will tempt most men to dishonest actions, especially where they may act undiscovered; I say; that this seems to be the cause why they have two Supervisors set over them more then any Company that I know of, viz. the Censors of the College of Physicians, and the Master and Wardens of their own Company.

The next thing is the inlarging and multiplying their Bills and Medicines.

First, When in Chronical Diseases a Physician is consulted, they go on of their own heads with the same prescription, frequently enough to the Patients great disadvantage, both of health and purse.

Secondly, By giving and intermixing Medicines of their own Phancy, with the Physicians prescriptions, viz. some pleasing Medicine, whereby too often the Physicians intention is quite crost, and the effect made uncertain, and hazardous.

Thirdly, By giving Medicines themselves on small accounts, and such as require only a good ordering, and no more.

Fourthly, By repeating long courses of Physic u