Whereas His Majesty King James the First, by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the Sixth Day of December, in the Fifteenth Year of His Reign, did for himself, his Heirs and Successors, grant unto William Beese, and divers other Persons therein named, and to all and singular other Persons whomsoever, brought up and skilful ¡n the Art, Mystery, or Faculty of Apothecaries, and exercising the same Art, Mystery, or Faculty then, being Freemen of the Mystery of Grocers of the City of London, or being Freemen of any other Art, Mystery, or Faculty in the said City of London (so as they had been brought up and were expert in the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries), that they, and all such Men of the said Art or Mystery of Apothecaries of and in the said City of London and Suburbs of the same, and within Seven Miles of the said City, might and should be one Body Corporate and Politic, in Substance, Deed, and Name, by the Name of the Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London; and did ordain and declare, that by the same name they might have perpetual Succession, and have, purchase, possess, enjoy, and retain Manors, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Liberties, Privileges, Franchises, Jurisdictions, and Hereditaments to them and their Successors, in fee simple and perpetuity, or for term of year or years, or otherwise, howsoever. And also Goods and Chattels, and all other things soever, of what name, nature, kind, quality, or sort soever they should be. And also, that they might grant, demise, alien, assign, and dispose of Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, and do and execute all and singular other Acts and things by the said name. And that by the said name of Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London, they should and might be able to plead and be impleaded, and might have for ever a common Seal; and the same Seal at their pleasure from time to time might break, change, alter, and new make, as to them should seem best. And his said Majesty did, by his said Letters Patent, ordain and grant unto the said Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries aforesaid, certain Ordinances, Rules and Regulations, to be observed, kept, and maintained by them, as in the said Charter are more fully expressed.
And whereas some of the Clauses and Provisions contained in the said recited Charter, so far as the same regard the said Society of Apothecaries, have been found inadequate for the purposes thereby intended, and it is therefore expedient that the same should be altered, varied, and enlarged, and further and other Provisions made;
May it therefore please Your MAJESTY,
That it may be enacted; And be it Enacted by the KING’S Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, that the said recited Charter of the Fifteenth Year of the Reign of His Majesty King James the First, and all and every the Powers, Provisions, Penalties, Forfeitures, Regulations, Clauses, matters and things therein contained (save and except such part or parts thereof as are hereby altered, varied, or repealed), shall be, and the same is and are hereby declared to be in full force and virtue, and shall be as good, valid, and effectual, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as if this Act had not been made.
And be it further Enacted, That so much of the said recited Charter as directs, That the said Master and Wardens, and their Successors, or some or one of them, or some Assistants by the Master and Wardens to be appointed and assigned, at fit and convenient times, and in manner and form convenient and lawful, from time to time, as often as to the said Master and Wardens shall seem expedient, shall and may go and enter into any Shop or Shops, House or Houses, Cellar or Cellars, of any Persons whomsoever, using or exercising the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries, or any Part thereof, within the City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Seven Miles of the same City, as well within the Liberty as without, where any Medicines, simple or compound, Wares, Drugs, Receipts, Distilled Waters, Chemical Oils, Syrups, Conserves, Lohocks, Electuaries, Pills, Powders, Lozenges, Oils, Ointments, Plaisters, or any other things whatsoever, which belong or appertain to the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries as is aforesaid, are likely to be found; and to search, survey, and prove if the same Medicines, simple or compound, Wares, Drugs, Receipts, Distilled Waters, Chemical Oils, Syrups, Conserves, Lohocks, Electuaries, Pills, Powders, Lozenges, Oils, Ointments, Plaisters, or any thing or things whatsoever belonging to the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries aforesaid, be and shall be wholesome, medicinable, meet and fit for the cure, health, and ease of His Majesty’s Subjects;
And also so much of the said recited Charter as directs, That the aforesaid Master and Wardens of the Mystery aforesaid, and the said Assistants for the time being, thereunto nominated and appointed by the Master and Wardens, and their Successors from time to time, may have, and by virtue of these Presents, shall have full power and authority to examine and try all and singular Persons professing, using, or exercising, or which hereafter shall profess, use, or exercise the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries, or any part thereof, within the aforesaid City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Seven Miles of the same City, as well within Liberties as without, touching or concerning their and every of their knowledge, skill, and science, in the aforesaid Art or Mystery of Apothecaries, and to remove and prohibit all those from the exercise, use, or practice of the said Art or Mystery, whom hereafter they shall find either unskilful, ignorant, or insufficient, or obstinate, or refusing to be examined by virtue of these Presents, in the Art or Mystery aforesaid. And also all and singular Medicines, Wares, Drugs, Receipts, Distilled Waters, Oils, Chemical Preparations, Syrups, Conserves, Lohocks, Electuaries, Pills, Powders, Lozenges, Oils, Ointments, and Plaisters, and all other things belonging to the aforesaid Art, which they shall find unlawful, deceitful, stale, out of use, unwholesome, corrupt, unmedicinable, pernicious, or hurtful, to burn before the Offender’s Doors. And also to lay, impose, and exact Mulcts, and other Pains and Penalties, by Fines and Amerciaments, upon such Offenders, according to their sound discretions, and the Ordinances by them and their Successors so as aforesaid to be made and appointed, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed.
And be it further Enacted, That in lieu and stead thereof, the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries for the time being, and their Successors, or any of the Assistants, or any other person or persons properly qualified, as hereinafter is mentioned, to be by the Master and Wardens nominated and assigned, not being fewer in number than Two Persons at the least, shall and may from time to time, and at all seasonable and convenient times, in the day time, as often as to the said Master and Wardens it shall seem expedient, go and enter into any Shop or Shops, of any person or persons whatever, using or exercising the Art or Mystery of an Apothecary in any part of England or Wales; and shall and may search, survey, prove, and determine, if the Medicines, simple or compound, Wares, Drugs, or any thing or things whatsoever therein contained, and belonging to the Art or Mystery of Apothecaries aforesaid, be wholesome, meet, and fit for the cure, health, and ease of His Majesty’s Subjects; and all and every such Medicines, Wares, Drugs, and all other things belonging to the aforesaid Art, which they shall find false, unlawful, deceitful, stale, unwholesome, corrupt, pernicious or hurtful, shall and may burn, or otherwise destroy; and also shall and may report to the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Society, the Name or Names of such person or persons as shall be found to have the same in their possession; and the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, shall and may impose and levy the following Fines and Penalties upon each and every person whose Name shall be so reported to them, as hereinafter mentioned: For the first offence the Sum of Five Pounds; for the second offence the Sum of Ten Pounds; and for the third, and every other offence, the Sum of Twenty Pounds.
Provided always, and be it Enacted, That no person to be by the Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being, chosen and appointed a Member of the Court of Examiners, or to be by the Master and Wardens nominated and assigned to go and enter into any Shop or Shops, for the purposes aforesaid, within the City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Thirty Miles of the same, shall be deemed to be properly qualified, unless he shall be a Member of the Society of Apothecaries aforesaid, of not less than Ten Years standing; nor shall any person be deemed to be properly qualified to be nominated and assigned to go and enter into any Shop or Shops in any other part of England and Wales for the purposes aforesaid, or to be appointed one of the Five Apothecaries hereinafter mentioned, and directed to be appointed for the purpose of examining Assistants to Apothecaries in compounding and dispensing Medicines, as hereinafter is mentioned, except he shall have been an Apothecary in actual practice for not less than Ten Years at least, previously to his being so nominated, or assigned, or appointed.
And whereas it is the duty of every Person using or exercising the Art and Mystery of an Apothecary, to prepare with exactness, and to dispense such Medicines as may be directed for the sick by any Physician lawfully licensed to practise Physic by the President and Commonalty of the Faculty of Physic in London, or by either of the two Universities of Oxford or Cambridge; therefore, for the further protection, security, and benefit of His Majesty’s Subjects, and for the better regulation of the practice of Physic throughout England and Wales, Be it Enacted, That if any Person using or exercising the Art and Mystery of an Apothecary, shall at any time knowingly, wilfully, and contumaciously refuse to make, mix, compound, prepare, give, apply, or administer, or any way to sell, set on sale, put forth, or put to sale to any Person or Persons whatever, any Medicines, compound Medicines, or medicinable Compositions, or shall deliberately or negligently, falsely, unfaithfully, fraudulently, or unduly make, mix, compound, prepare, give, apply or administer, or any way sell, set on sale, put forth, or put to sale to any Person or Persons whatever, any Medicines, Compound Medicines, or Medicinable Compositions, as directed by any Prescription, Order or Receipt, signed with the initials in his own hand-writing, of any Physician so lawfully licensed to practise Physic, such person or persons so offending, shall, upon complaint made within Twenty-one Days by such Physician, and upon conviction of such offence before any of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, unless such Offender can shew some satisfactory reason, excuse, or justification in this behalf, forfeit, for the first offence the Sum of Five Pounds; for the second offence the Sum of Ten Pounds; and for the third offence he shall forfeit his Certificate, and be rendered incapable in future of using or exercising the Art and Mystery of an Apothecary, and be liable to the Penalty inflicted by this Act upon all who practise as such without a Certificate, in the same manner as if such party so convicted had never been furnished with a Certificate enabling him to practise as an Apothecary; and such Offender so deprived of his Certificate, shall be rendered and deemed incapable in future of receiving and holding any fresh Certificate, unless the said party so applying for a renewal of his Certificate, shall faithfully promise and undertake, and give good and sufficient Security, that he will not in future be guilty of the like offence.
And be it further Enacted, That each and every of them the said Master and Wardens for the time being, may, and they are hereby respectively empowered, by writing under his or their hands, to appoint any one or more of the said Court of Assistants to act as Deputy Master, or as Deputy Wardens, as the case may be, in all matters and things done, or authorized to be done, by the said Master, or the said Wardens, under and by virtue of the said recited Charter, or of this Act, and to remove such Deputy Master, or Deputy Wardens so to be appointed from time to time, as the said Master, or the said Wardens, shall respectively think proper; and all acts, matters, and things which shall be lawfully done by the said Deputy Master or Deputy Wardens so to be appointed as aforesaid, as the case may be, shall be as good, valid, and effectual, as if the same were done and performed by the said Master and Wardens respectively.
And whereas much mischief and inconvenience has arisen, from great numbers of persons in many parts of England and Wales exercising the functions of an Apothecary, who are wholly ignorant, and utterly incompetent to the exercise of such functions, whereby the Health and Lives of the Community are greatly endangered; and it is become necessary that provision should be made for remedying such evils; Be it therefore further Enacted, That the said Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London, incorporated by the said recited Charter of His Majesty King James the First, and their Successors, shall be, and they are hereby appointed and constituted, directed and empowered, for ever to superintend the execution of the provisions of this Act, and to enforce and carry the several regulations and provisions thereof, in relation to the several persons practising the Art or Mystery or Profession of an Apothecary throughout England and Wales, and all other the purposes of this Act, into full execution.
And be it further Enacted, That no Act of the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries, incorporated as aforesaid, for the carrying any of the powers and provisions of this Act into execution, shall be, or be deemed to be good or valid (save and except as to such Acts as shall be done by the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, or others appointed by them, or any of them, as hereinbefore is provided, in pursuance of the Powers and Authorities hereinbefore given to them to enter into Shops to search for, examine and destroy unwholesome Drugs or Medicines, and also save and except as to such acts as shall be done by the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them present, or by the Five Apothecaries hereinafter mentioned, or the major part of them present, in pursuance of the authorities hereinafter given to them), unless the same be done at some Assembly or Meeting to be holden by the said Master, Wardens, and Society, in the Hall of the said Society. And that all the Powers and Authorities by this Act granted to, or vested in, the said Master, Wardens, and Society as aforesaid, shall and may from time to time be exercised by the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries aforesaid for the time being, or by the major part of them present, who shall attend at any such Assembly or meeting to be holden as aforesaid (the number present at such Assemblies or Meetings not being less than Thirteen, of which the said Master for the time being shall always be one), and all the Orders and Proceedings of the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being, or of such major part as aforesaid, shall have the same force and effect, as if the same were made or done by the said Master, Wardens and Society of Apothecaries incorporated as aforesaid.
And be it further Enacted, That for the purposes of this Act, so far as the same regards the Examination of Apothecaries, and Assistants to Apothecaries, Twelve Persons properly qualified, as hereinbefore is mentioned, shall be chosen and appointed by the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being, (who are hereby authorized and empowered to choose and appoint such Persons, and to remove or displace them from time to time, as they the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being, shall deem adviseable), and such Persons, when so chosen and appointed, or any Seven of them, shall be, and be called the Court of Examiners of the Society of Apothecaries; and such Court of Examiners, or the major part of them present at any meeting, shall have full power and authority, and are hereby authorized and empowered to examine all Apothecaries, and Assistants to Apothecaries, throughout England and Wales, and to grant or refuse such Certificate, as hereinafter is mentioned. And such Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, shall, and they are hereby required to meet and assemble in some convenient Room in the Hall of the said Society, once at least in every week, for the purpose of such Examination, and then and there to examine all Persons applying to be examined, and duly qualified so to be by virtue of this Act.
And be it further Enacted, That at any such Meetings of the said Examiners, a Chairman shall and may be appointed; and when and so often as it shall so happen that there shall be an equal number of Votes upon any one question (including the Vote of the said Chairman), then and in such case, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Chairman to give the casting or decisive Vote.
And be it further Enacted, That no person shall be capable of acting as an Examiner, under and by virtue of this Act, until he shall have taken and subscribed the following Oath:
“I, A. B. do solemnly promise and swear (or, being one of the people called Quakers, do solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully, impartially, and honestly, according to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the trust reposed in me by the Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London, as an Examiner, in the Examination of every person who shall come before me to be examined, as to his fitness or qualification to act as an Apothecary, or Assistant to an Apothecary, as the case may be, and that without favour, affection, prejudice, or malice.
which Oath, or Affirmation, the said Master, Wardens, or Court of Assistants, or the major part of them, are hereby authorized and required to administer.
And be it further Enacted, That all Persons so to be chosen and appointed Examiners as aforesaid, shall continue in Office for the space of One Year from the time of their Appointment, (except in case of Death, or being removed or displaced by the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants as aforesaid). Provided always, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, to choose and appoint any such Person or Persons going out of Office, again to be an Examiner or Examiners, as aforesaid, if they the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, shall deem it adviseable so to do.
And be it further Enacted, That in case any Person or Persons so to be chosen, and appointed, shall happen to die during the time he or they shall continue to be an Examiner or Examiners, or be removed or displaced as aforesaid, then it shall and may be lawful for the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, to choose and appoint any other Person or Persons properly qualified, to be an Examiner or Examiners as aforesaid, in the room of the Person or Persons so dying, or removed, or displaced as aforesaid; and every Person or Persons so chosen and appointed, shall continue in Office for such time and no longer, as the Person or Persons in whose room or stead he or they shall be so chosen and appointed, would have continued in Office.
And to prevent any Person or Persons from practising as an Apothecary, without being properly qualified to practise as such, Be it further Enacted, That from and after the First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen, it shall not be lawful for any Person or Persons (except persons already in practice as such), to practise as an Apothecary in any part of England or Wales, unless he or they shall have been Examined by the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, and have received a Certificate of his or their being duly qualified to practise as such, from the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, as aforesaid; who are hereby authorized and required to examine all Person and Persons applying to them, for the purpose of ascertaining the skill and abilities of such person or persons in the Science and Practice of Medicine, and his or their fitness and qualification to practise as an Apothecary; and the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, are hereby empowered either to reject such Person or Persons, or to grant a Certificate of such Examination, and of his or their qualification to practise as an Apothecary as aforesaid: Provided always, That no Person shall be admitted to such Examination until he shall have attained, the full age of Twenty-one Years.
Provided always, and be it Enacted, That no Person shall be admitted to any such Examination for a Certificate to practise as an Apothecary, unless he shall have served an Apprenticeship of not less than Five Years to an Apothecary, and unless he shall produce Testimonials to the satisfaction of the said Court of Examiners, of a sufficient Medical Education, and of a good moral conduct.
And be it further Enacted, That every Person intending to qualify himself under the regulations of this Act to practise as an Apothecary, in any part of England or Wales, shall give notice to the Clerk of the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries as aforesaid, of his intention so to do, who shall notify the same to the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries as aforesaid; and the Person so intending to qualify himself, shall present himself at the Meeting held by the said Court of Examiners next succeeding such Notice, and shall undergo such Examination by the said Court of Examiners as aforesaid, or at some other Meeting, as shall or may be appointed and fixed upon by the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries, or by the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, as aforesaid, for that purpose.
And be it further Enacted, That from and after the First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen, it shall not be lawful for any Person or Persons (except the Persons then acting as Assistants to any Apothecaries as aforesaid, and excepting Persons who have actually served an Apprenticeship of Five Years to an Apothecary) to act as an Assistant to any Apothecary, in compounding or dispensing Medicines, without undergoing an Examination by the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, or by Five Apothecaries, so to be appointed as hereinafter is mentioned, and obtaining a Certificate of his or their qualification to act as such Assistant, from the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, or from the said Five Apothecaries, who are hereby authorized and empowered to examine all persons applying to them for that purpose, and to grant a Certificate of such fitness and qualification.
And be it further Enacted, That for the purposes of this Act, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Master and Wardens for the time being, or to and for the said Court of Examiners, by writing under their hands, from time to time to appoint Five Apothecaries in any County or Counties respectively throughout England and Wales (except within the said City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Thirty Miles of the same), to act for such County or Counties, or any other County or Counties near or adjoining, and to remove or displace them from time to time, as they the said Master and Wardens, or the said Court of Examiners, shall deem adviseable; and such Five Apothecaries so to be appointed respectively, as aforesaid, at any Meeting to be held by them as hereinafter mentioned, shall have full power and authority, and are hereby authorized and empowered to examine, all Assistants to Apothecaries throughout the County or Counties in regard of which such Apothecaries shall have been so appointed as aforesaid, and to grant or refuse such Certificate to every such Assistant to Apothecaries, as hereinbefore is authorized in that behalf; and a Meeting of the said Apothecaries, for the purposes aforesaid, shall be held monthly in the County Town of some one of the Counties for which they shall have been appointed to act as aforesaid; and that no act of such Apothecaries shall be, or be deemed to be good or valid, unless the same be done at some such Meeting; and that all the Powers and Authorities by this Act granted to or vested in such Five Apothecaries, shall and may from time to time be exercised by the major part of them, who shall attend at any Meeting to be holden as above directed, the number of such Apothecaries present at any such Meeting not being less than Three; and all the Orders, Directions, and Certificates of the major part of such Apothecaries present at any such Meeting, shall have the same force and effect as if the same were made, done, or signed by all the said Five Apothecaries for the time being; and at every such Meeting of the said Apothecaries, a Chairman shall and may be appointed, and when, and so often as it shall so happen that there shall be an equal number of Votes upon any one question (including the Vote of the said Chairman) then and in such case, it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Chairman to give the casting, or decisive Vote.
And be it further Enacted, That the Sum of Ten Pounds Ten Shillings shall be paid to the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries, for every such Certificate as aforesaid, on obtaining the same, by every person intending to practise as an Apothecary within the City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Ten Miles of the same City; and the Sum of Six Pounds Six Shillings by every person intending to practise as an Apothecary in any other part of England or Wales (except the said City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Ten Miles of the said City:) and no person having obtained a Certificate to practise as an Apothecary in any other part of England or Wales (except the said City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Ten Miles of the said City as aforesaid), shall be entitled to practise within the said City of London, the Liberties or Suburbs thereof, or within Ten Miles of the said City, unless and until he shall have paid to the said Master, Wardens, and Society, the further Sum of Four Pounds Four Shillings, in addition to the said Sum of Six Pounds Six Shillings so paid by him as aforesaid, and shall have had endorsed on his said Certificate, a Receipt from the said Master, Wardens, and Society, for such additional Sum of Four Pounds Four Shillings; and the Sum of Two Pounds Two Shillings by every Assistant; and the several Sums of Money arising from the granting of such Certificates, shall be applied in manner hereinafter directed.
And be it further Enacted, That if any person (except such as are then actually practising as such) shall, after the said First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen, act or practise as an Apothecary in any part of England or Wales, without having obtained such Certificate as aforesaid, every person so offending shall for every such Offence, forfeit and pay the Sum of Twenty Pounds; and if any person (except such as are then acting as such, and excepting persons who have actually served an Apprenticeship as aforesaid) shall, after the said First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen, act as an Assistant to any Apothecary, to compound and dispense Medicines, without having obtained such Certificate as aforesaid, every person so offending, shall for every such offence forfeit and pay the Sum of Five Pounds.
And be it further Enacted, That no Apothecary shall be allowed to recover any Charges claimed by him in any Court of Law, unless such Apothecary shall prove on the Trial, that he was in practice as an Apothecary prior to, or on the said First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen, or that he has obtained a Certificate to practise as an Apothecary, from the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries as aforesaid.
Provided always, and be it further Enacted, That if the said Court of Examiners, or the major part of them, having examined any Person or Persons applying to qualify himself or themselves to practise as an Apothecary, or if they, or the said Five Apothecaries so to be appointed for any County or Counties as aforesaid, having examined any Person or Persons applying to qualify himself or themselves to practise as an Assistant to an Apothecary, in compounding and dispensing Medicines, shall see cause to refuse such Certificate as aforesaid, to any such Person or Persons so applying to qualify himself or themselves as an Apothecary or Assistant as aforesaid; yet it shall and may be lawful for such Person or Persons who shall be so refused, to apply at any future time to be again examined, so that such second application by any Person or Persons applying to qualify himself or themselves as an Apothecary, be not within Six Months of such first Examination; and so that such second application by any person or persons applying to qualify himself or themselves as an Assistant, be not within Three Months of such first Examination; and if on such re-examination he or they shall appear to the persons examining, to be then properly qualified, it shall and may be lawful for the said Court of Examiners, or to and for the said Five Apothecaries in any County or Counties as aforesaid, to grant such person or persons so applying, such Certificate as aforesaid.
Provided always, and be it further Enacted, That the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries, do make annually, and cause to be printed, an exact List of all and every person who shall in that year have obtained a Certificate to practise as an Apothecary, with their respective residences attached to their respective Names.
And be it further Enacted, That all and every Sum or Sums of Money which shall be received or arise from the granting of the Certificate of Examination hereinbefore required, shall belong to, and be appropriated and disposed of by the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries as aforesaid, in such manner as they shall from time to time direct and deem most expedient.
And be it further Enacted, That all Sum and Sums of Money arising from Conviction and recovery of Penalties for Offences committed against the Authorities and Provisions of this Act, shall be applied and disposed of in manner following, (viz.) One Half thereof to the Informer or Informers, and One Half thereof to the said Master, Wardens, and Society of Apothecaries as aforesaid, to be appropriated and disposed of by them in such manner as they shall deem most expedient.
And be it further Enacted, That all Penalties and Forfeitures by virtue of this Act imposed, (the manner of levying and recovering whereof is not otherwise hereby particularly directed, shall, if such Penalties and Forfeitures shall exceed the Sum of Five Pounds, be recovered by Action or Suit at Law, in the Name of the Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London, in any of His Majesty’s Courts of Record in England or Wales, wherein no Essoign, Protection, or Wager at Law, or more than one Imparlance shall be allowed); and if such Penalty or Forfeiture shall amount to less than the Sum of Five Pounds, then the same shall be levied and recovered by Distress and Sale of the Goods and Chattels of the Offender, by Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Justice of the Peace acting for any County, City, Town, or Place where the Offence shall be committed (which Warrant such Justice is hereby empowered and required to grant upon the confession of the Party, or upon the Evidence of any credible Witness upon Oath; and which Oath such Justice is hereby empowered to administer); and the overplus (if any), of the Money arising by such Distress and Sale, shall be returned upon demand to the Owner of such Goods and Chattles, after deducting the Costs and Charges of making, keeping, and selling the Distress; and in case sufficient Distress shall not be found, or such Forfeitures and Penalties shall not be paid forthwith, it shall be lawful for such Justice, and he is hereby authorized and required, by Warrant under his Hand and Seal, to cause the Offender to be committed to the Common Gaol for the County, City, Town, or Place, where the Offence shall be committed, there to remain without Bail or Mainprize for any time not exceeding One Calendar Month, unless such Penalties, and Forfeitures, and Costs, shall be sooner fully paid and satisfied.
And be it further Enacted, That where any Distress shall be made for any Sum of Money to be levied by virtue of this Act, the Distress itself shall not be deemed unlawful, nor the Party or Parties making the same be deemed a Trespasser or Trespassers, on account of any defect or want of Form in the Notice or Information, Summons, Conviction, Warrant, or Distress, or other proceeding relating thereto; nor shall the Party or Parties distraining be deemed a Trespasser or Trespassers ab initio, on account of any irregularity which shall be afterwards done by the Party or Parties so distraining; but the person or persons aggrieved by such irregularity, may recover full satisfaction for the special damage in an Action upon the Case.
Provided always, and be it further Enacted, That nothing in this Act contained shall extend, or be construed to extend, to prejudice, or in any way to affect the trade or business of a Chemist and Druggist, in the buying, preparing, compounding, dispensing, and vending Drugs, Medicines, and Medicinable Compounds, wholesale and retail; but all persons using or exercising the said trade or business, or who shall or may hereafter use or exercise the same, shall and may use, exercise, and carry on the same trade or business in such manner, and as fully and amply to all intents and purposes, as the same trade or business was used, exercised, or carried on by Chemists and Druggists before the passing of this Act.
Provided always, and be it further Enacted, That nothing in this Act contained, shall extend or be construed to extend to lessen, prejudice, or defeat, or in any wise to interfere with any of the Rights, Authorities, Privileges, and Immunities heretofore vested in, and exercised and enjoyed by either of the Two Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Surgeons, or the said Society of Apothecaries respectively, other than and except such as shall or may have been altered, varied, or amended in and by this Act, or of any Person or Persons practising as an Apothecary previously to the First Day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen; but the said Universities, Royal Colleges, and the said Society, and all such Persons or Person, shall have, use, exercise, and enjoy all such Rights, Authorities, Privileges, and Immunities, save and except as aforesaid, in as full, ample, and beneficial a manner to all intents and purposes, as they might have done before the passing of this Act, and in case the same had never been passed.
Provided always, and be it further Enacted, That no Action or suit shall be brought or prosecuted against any Person or Persons, Body or Bodies Politic, Corporate or Collegiate, for any thing done in pursuance of this Act, after Six Calendar Months next after the fact committed; or in case there shall be a continuation of Damages, then after Six Calendar Months next after the doing or committing such Damage shall have ceased, and not afterwards. And every such Action or Suit shall be laid and brought in the County where the matter in dispute shall arise, and not elsewhere; and the Defendant and Defendants in every such Action or Suit, shall or may, at his, her, or their election, plead specially the General Issue, and give this Act, and the Special Matter, in Evidence, at any Trial to be had thereupon, and that the same was done in pursuance, and by the authority of this Act. And if it shall appear to have been so done, or if any such Action or Suit shall have been brought before Twenty-one Days’ Notice shall have been given, or sufficient satisfaction made or tendered, as aforesaid, or shall be brought in any other County or Place than as aforesaid, then, and in every such case, the Jury shall find for the Defendant or Defendants; and upon such Verdict, or if the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs shall become Nonsuit, or suffer a discontinuance of his, her, or their Action or Suit, after the Defendant or Defendants shall have appeared, or if a Verdict shall pass against the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs, or if upon Demurrer or otherwise, Judgment shall be given against the Plaintiff or Plaintiffs, then the Defendant or Defendants shall have Double Costs, and shall have such remedy for recovering the same, as any Defendant hath for recovering Costs of Suit in any other Cases by Law.
And be it further Enacted, That this Act shall be deemed and taken to be a Public Act, and shall be judicially taken notice of as such, by all Judges, Justices, and others, without being specially pleaded.
Rex omnibus ad quos &c. salutem. Cum antehac per Letteras nostras Paten’ sub magno sigillo nostro Anglie confect’ geren’ dat apud Westm’ nono die Aprilis Anno regni nostri Anglie Francie et Hibernie quarto & Scocie de gratia nostra speciali voluerimus ordinaverimus & concesserimus quod omnes et singuli liberi homines mysterii Grocer’ & Pharmacopol’ civitat’ London & Successores sui deinceps in perpetuum pro meliori ordine gubernatione et regimine hominum myster’ Grocer’ & Pharmacopol’ Civitatis London ac pro utilitate commodo et relevamine bonorum et proborum ac formidine et correctione malorum dolorosorum et improborum forent et essent vigore earundem Litterarum Paten’ unum corpus corporatum et politicum in re facto et nomine per nomen Custod’ & Communitatis myster’ Grocer’ Civitat’ London et eosdem per nomen Custod’ et Communitat’ myster’ Grocer’ Civitat’ London unum corpus corporatum & politicum in re facto et nomine realiter & ad plenum pro nobis heredibus & successoribus nostris per easdem Litteras nostras paten’ adtunc exereximus fecerimus ordinaverimus constituerimus & declaraverimus & quod per idem nomen successionem h’erent perpetuam prout per easdem Litteras nostras Patent’ (inter alia) plenius liquet et apparet. Jam vero quum nobis sit demonstratum ex parte dilectorum subditorum Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ nostre London necnon nobis adfirmatum & approbatum per dilectos nobis Theodorum de Mayerne & Henricum Atkins in Medicinis Doctores Medicos Nostros discretos et fideles Quod hiisce proximis annis quamplurimi empyrici et homines ignari & inexperti in Civitate nostra London ac ejusdem Suburbiis inhabitant et commorantes qui in Pharmacopoli arte & mysterio hand instituti sed in eadem imperiti & rudes quamplurima insalubria nociva falsa corrupta perniciosa faciunt & componunt medicamenta eademque in plurimis hujus regni nostri Anglie partes vendunt & assidue transmittunt in convitium et opprobrium non solum Medicine scientie illius colende Medicorumque hujus regui nostri Anglie literat’ eandem profitentium necnon Pharmacopœiorum Civitat’ nostre London in eadem arte & mysterio educat’ & expert verum eciam in subditor’ nostror’ pericula et assidua vite discrimina. Cumque ad jura nostra regia & regimen supremum pro universos subdit’ nostros singulasque regni nostri partes membra et societates temperamus & complectimur spectat ut pro bono publico & temporum ratione novas Societates atque nova Corpora corporat’ et politica creare erigere instituere & superinducere ad beneplacitum nostrum possumus tam ex personis que prius plane seperat’ & in null’ corpus redact’ & collect’ fuerunt quam ex membris Corporum corporat’ veter’ ubi hoc ad melius regimen populi nostri videbitur expedire. Nos igitur considerantes officii nostri Regii munus esse subditorum nostrorum saluti et bono publico omnibus viis & modis providere & consulere ac nobiscum perpendentes quomodo improborum istorum hominum conatibus tempestive occurramus (de advisament’ Consilii nostri in legibus eruditi) apprime necessarium duximus Pharmacopæios Civitat’ nostra London ab hominibus liberis myster’ Grocer’ ejusdem disunire disgungere separare & dissociare ac easdem Pharmacopœios per seipsos solum et divisum ac ab hominibus liberis myster’ Grocer’ predict’ ad omnes intentiones & proposit’ disunitos & separatos in unum Corpus corporat’ & Politicum erigere creare & constituere ad quos omni futuro tempore incommodorum istorum cura & correctio demandata & commissa foret. Ita tamen ut superior’ ac general’ regimen’ Civitat’ nostre London & Magistrat’ ejusdem in modum aliarum Societat’ subjiciantur. Sciatis igitur quod nos dilectorum & fidelium Medicor’ nostror’ Theodori de Mayerne & Henrici Atkins necnon Pharmacopœiorum predict’ precibus inclinati potissimum verò ex Regali nostra cura & solicitudine Statum Reipublice promovendi ac bonum publicum procurandi ut Empiricorum & hominum ignor’ & inexpert’ predictor’ inscitia temeritasque compiscatur unde plurima incommoda et pericula rudi & credule plebi assidue oriantur. Ac ut Pharmacopœi inferius nominati tam a predicto Corpore politico liberorum hominum myster’ Grocer’ Civitat’ London quam a quibuscunque aliis corporibus Politicis Societat’ sive Communitat’ quarumcunque aliar’ artium facultat’ sive myster’ in eadem Civitate nostra London disuniantur separentur & disjungantur ac in Corpus unum Politicum & Corporatum per seipsos per nos facti constituti & creari imposterum perpetuis futuris temporibus ad omnia proposita & intentiones sint et remaneant quam pro aliis causis urgentibus nos specialiter moventibus de gra’ nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia & mero motu nostris volumus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ nostris Willielmo Besse, Edmundo Philips (et 114 aliis nominatis) ac omnibus aliis personis quibuscunque subditis nostris naturalibus in arte facultate sive mysterio Pharmacopœior’ educat’ & perit’ eandemque artem facultatem sive mysterium hoc tempore exercen’ sive existen’ liberis hominibus myster’ Grocer’ Civitat’ London ac cum eisdem conjunctim & promiscue in unum Corpus corporatum & Communitat’ antehac per nos seu per aliquem vel aliquos Progenitor’ nostrorum fact’ incorporat’ sive constitut’. Quod ipsi et eorum unusquisque una cum omnibus et singulis eorum Apprenticiis qui ante dat’ Presencium coram Custod’ myster’ Grocer’ predict’ seu coram Custod’ sive Magistris aliquar’ aliar’ artium facultat’ sive myster’ in Civitat’ London alicui Pharmacopœio sive aliquibus Pharmacopœiis posuerunt seipsos Apprenticios tam a predicto Corpore Politico & Communitat’ liberorum hominum myster’ Grocer’ predict’ quam ab omnibus aliis Corpor’ Politicis Communitat’ sive Societat’ aliquar’ aliar’ artium facultat’ sive myster’ in Civitat London quibuscunque disuniantur separentur divellantur disjungantur ac dissociantur eosdemque Pharmacopœios & eorum quemlibet ante nominat’ sive mencionat’ una cum omnibus & singulis eorum Apprenticiis predict’ ex regali nostra prerogativa & Jure regio disunimus separamus divellimus disjungimus & dissociamus & eosdem Pharmacopœios una cum omnibus & singulis eorum Apprenticiis predict’ virtute harum Literarum nostrarum Paten’ immunes liberos acquietat’ exoneratos & penitus exemptos (ad omnia proposita et intentiones) quam de et ab omnibus jurament’ Jurisdictionibus Potestat’ Authoritat’ Statut’ Ordinationibus Constitution’ Supervis’ Scrutin’ Summonition’ Convocationibus Conventionibus Regim’ Gubernationibus Correction Impositionibus Taxation’ Collection’ denarion’ solutionibus & Oneribus Finibus amerciament’ imprisonament’ districtionibus penis & penilitat’ quibuscunque Custod’ & Communitat myster’ Grocer’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ aut eorum successor’ quam alior’ quorumcunque Corpor’ Politicor’ Communitat’ sive Societat’ in Civitat’ nostra London & successor’ suorum per presentes volumus esse & remanere deinceps imperpetuum aliquibus Statut’ Act’ Parliament’ Ordination’ Provisionibus Consuet’ Concession’ Confirmation’ Privileg’ Chart’ aut Litteris paten’ nostri vel aliquorum Progenitor’ nostrorum Custod’ & Communitat’ myster’ Grocer’ London predict’ fact’ in contrarium inde non obstant’. Et ulterius de ampliori gra’ nostra speciali & ex certa scientia et mero motu nostris ut ars myster’ sive facultat’ Pharmacopœie jam diu collapsa & despecta melius ad amplitudinem dignam promoveatur pro nobis hered’ & successoribus nostris concedimus per presentes prefatis Willielmo Besse, Edmundo Phillips (&ci * * * ) ac omnibus & singulis aliis personis quibuscunque in arte myster’ sive facultat’ Pharmacopol’ educat’ & perit’ eandemque artem myster’ seu facultatem exercentibus modo existen’ liberis hominibus myster’ Grocer’ predict’ aut existen’ liberis hominibus aliquar’ aliarum artium myster’ sive facultat’ in Civitat’ London (dummodo in arte & facultate Pharmacopol’ educat’ & expert’ fuerint) quod ipsi omnesque hujusmodi liberi homines ejusdem artis myster’ sive facultat’ Pharmacopol’ de et in Civitat predict’ & in suburbiis ejusdem & infra septem miliar’ Civitat’ predict’ sint & erunt unum Corpus corporatum & Politicum in re facto & nomine per nomen Magistr’ Custod’ & Societat’ artis & myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London. Ac eos per nomen Magistri Custodum & Societatis artis et myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London in unum Corpus corporatum & Politicum in re facto et nomine realiter et ad plenum pro nobis & successor’ nostris erigimus facimus ordinamus constituimus creamus & declaramus per presentes. Et quod per idem nomen successionem habeant perpetuam. Et quod ipsi & successores sui per nomen Magistri Custod’ & Societatis artis mysterii Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London sint & erunt perpetuis futuris temporibus persone habiles & in lege capaces ac Corpus Corporatum & Politicum & in lege capax ad habend’ perquirend’ possidend’ gaudend’ & retinend’ Maner’ Messuagia terras tenementa libertat’ privileg’ Franches’ Jurisdiction’ & Hereditamenta quecunque cujuscunque generis nominis natur’ qualitat’ vel speciei fuerint sibi & successor’ suis in feodo simplici & perpetuitat’ sive pro termino anni vel annorum aut aliter quocunque modo. Ac etiam bona & Catalla & quascunque alias res cujuscunque nominis nature generis qualitat’ sive speciei fuerint. Necnon ad concedend’ dimittend’ alienand’ assignand’ & disponend’ maner’ terr’ tenementa & hereditamenta & ad omnia & singula al’ fact’ & res faciend’ & exequend’ per nomen predict’. Et quod per idem nomen Magistri Custod’ & Societat’ artis & myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ myster’ London placitare & implacitari respondere & responderi defendere & defendi valeant & possint in quibuscunque Curiis. Placit’ & locis ac coram quibuscunque Judicibus & Justiciariis ac aliis personis & officiar’ nostris ac heredum & successor’ nostrorum in omnibus & singulis actionibus placitis sect’ querel’ causis mater’ & demand’ quibuscunque cujuscunque sint aut erint generis qualitat’ aut speciei eisdem modo & forma prout aliqui alii ligei nostri Anglie persone habiles & capaces in lege sive aliquod aliud Corpus corporatum et Politicum infra Regnum nostrum Anglie habere perquirere recipere possidere & gaudere retinere dare concedere dimittere alienare assignare & disponere placitare & implacitari respondere & responderi defendere & defendi facere permittere sive exequi possint aut valeant. Et quod iidem Magister Custod’ & Societas artis & mysterii Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ habeant imperpetuum Commune Sigillum pro causis & negotiis suis ac successor’ suor’ quibuscunque agend’ deservitur’. Et quod bene liceat & licebit eisdem Magistro Custod’ & Societat’ artis & mysterii Pharmacopol’ London predict’ & successor’ suis sigillum illud ad libitum suum de tempore in tempus frangere mutare & de novo facere prout eis melius fieri videbitur. Et ulterius volumus & ordinamus ac per presentes pro nobis hered’ & successor’ nostris concedimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societat’ artis & mysterii Pharmacopol’ predict’ & successor’ suis quod de cetero imperpetuum perpetuis futuris temporibus sit & erit unus de Societatis artis & myster’ Pharmacopol’ predict’ in forma in hiis presentibus mencionat’ eligend’ & nominand’ qui nominabitur & vocabitur Magister artis & Societatis predict’ Ac quod similiter sint & erunt duo de Societate artis & myster’ predict’ in forma in his presentibus express’ eligend’ & nominand’ qui erunt & nominabunter Custodes Artis myster’ & societat’ predict’. Ac eciam quod similiter sint & erunt viginti & unus de Societate predict’ in forma in hiis presentibus inferius similiter mencionat’ eligend’ qui erunt & nominabuntur Assistantes Artis & Societatis Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London ac de tempore in tempus erunt assistentes & auxiliantes Magistro & Custod’ Mysterii & Societat’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ in omnibus causis rebus & materiis dict’ Magr’ & Societat’ tangen’ sive concernen.’ Et ulterius volumus ac per presentes pro nobis hered’ & successoribus nostris concedimus prefatis Magistro Custod’ & Societat’ artis & myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ & successor’ suis quod bene liceat & licebit eisdem Magistro Custod’ & Societat’ & Successor’ suis habere perquirere retinere & appuntare quandam Aulam sive Domum Conciliar’ infra Civitat nostram London Quodque idem Magr’ Custod’ myster’ predict’ vel aliqui duo eorum quorum Magistrum pro tempore existenti unum esse volumus quoties eis opportunum & necessarium fore videbitur convocare & tenere infra eandem Aulam sive domum quandam Curiam sive Convocationem de eisdem Magistro Custod’ & Assistent’ predict’ ad numerum tredecem personarum vel plurium (quorum Magistrum & unum Custod’ myster’ & societat’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ ut prefertur duos esse volumus) ad libitum & licite possint & valeant perpetuis futuris temporibus. Quodque in eadem Curia sive Convocatione tractare referre consultare consulere & decernere valeant & possint de Statutis Legibus Articulis Ordinationibus & Constitutionibus myster’ & societat’ predict’ ac bonum regimen statum & gubernationem eorundem tangen’ & concernen’ juxta eorum sanas discretiones vel juxta sanas discretiones majoris partis eorundem (quoram magistrum & unum Custod’ myster’ & societat’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ duos esse volumus) sic ut prefertur congregat’. Et ulterius volumus ac per presentes pro nobis hered’ & successor’ nostris concedimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati artis sive mysterii Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London & successoribus suis quod Magister Custodes & Assistantes myster’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ ad numerum tredecem personarum vel plurium (quorum predict’ Magistrum pro tempore existen’ unum esse volumus) super Summonitionem publicam inde fiend’ ad hoc congregat’ in Aula sive domo societatis predict’ habeant & habebunt plenam potestatem facultatem & authoritatem condend’ constituend’ ordinand’ & faciend’ de tempore in tempus Leges Statuta Constitutiones Decreta & Ordinationes rationabiliter inscript’ quecunque que eis aut majori parti eorundem (quorum Magistrum myster’ & societatis predict’ pro tempore existen’ unum esse volumus) bona salubria utilia honesta & necessaria juxta eorum sanas discretiones fore videbuntur pro bono regimine & gubernatione eorundem Magisti Custod’ Assisten’ & societatis myster’ Pharmacopol’ predict’ ac omnium & singulorum aliar’ personar’ artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ infra Civitat’ London predict’ libertates & suburbia ejusdem ac infra septem Miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ exercent’ & occupant’ ac pro declaratione quo modo & ordine iidem Magister Custodes & Societas ac omnes & singuli Apprenticii Officiar’ & Ministri myster’ & societat’ predict’ in officiis functionibus minister’ Tyrociniis artific’ & negotiis suis infra Civitat’ predict’ ac libertates & suburbia ejusdem ac infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ sese habebunt gerent & utentur pro uberiori bono publico communi utilitate & bono regimine myster’ & societat’ predict’ ac gubernatione earundem ac rebus & causis aliis quibuscunque myster’ & societat’ predict’ tangen’ seu quoquo modo concernen.’ Proviso semper quod pro tot & tal’ Ordinationibus que medicamenta aut compositiones & usum earundem concernent’ advocabunt de tempore in tempus President’ & quatuor Censores seu Gubernat’ Colleg’ & Communitat’ Medicorum London aut alios Medicos per Presidentem predict’ nominand’ pro avisamento in hac parte. Quodque iidem Magister et Custodes & Assistantes myster’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ ad numerum tredecim personarum vel plurium (quorum Magistrum myster’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ unum esse volumus) quotiescunque hujusmodi Leges institutiones Jura Ordinationes & Constitutiones fecerint condidirint ordinaverint vel stabiliverint hujusmodi & tales penas punitiones & penelitat’ per fines & amerciamenta vel per eorum utrumque erga & super omnes delinquentes contra hujusmodi Leges Institutiones Jura Ordinationes & Constitutiones sive eorum aliquod sive aliqua qual’ & que eisdem Magistro Custod’ & Assisten myster’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ vel majori parte eorundem (quorum Magistrum myster’ & societatis predict’ pro tempore existen’ unum esse volumus) necessor’ requisit’ & opportun’ pro observatione earum legum ordinationum & constitutionum melius fore videbitur facere ordinare limitare & providere possint. Ac quod iidem Magister Custodes & societas myster’ predict’ & successores sui eadem fines et amerciamenta per ministros proprios eorundem Magistri Custod’ & Societatis pro tempore existem’ per discretionem vel aliter secundum leges & consuetudines regni nostri Anglie levare habere & capere possint & valeant ad usum Magistri Custodum & societat’ predict’ & successor’ suorum absque impedimento nostri heredum & successor’ nostrorum aut alicujus vel aliquorum Officiar’ vel Ministror’ nostror’ heredum vel sucessor’ nostrorum & absque aliquo computo nobis heredibus vel successor’ nostris inde reddend’ seu faciend’. Que omnia & singula Ordinationes Jura & Constitutiones sic (ut prefertur) fiend’ observari volumus sub penis in iisdem continend’. Ita tamen quod leges constitutiones fines & americamenta hujusmodi sint rationabilia & non sint repugnan’ nec contrarian’ legibus Statut’ consuetudinibus sive Juribus regni nostri Anglie. Et pro meliori executione voluntatis & concessionis nostri in hac parte assignavimus nominavimus creavimus & constituimus dilectos nobis predictum Edmund’ Phillips fore & esse primum & modern’ Magistrum artis sive myster’ & societat’ predict’ ac etiam predict’ Stephanum Higgins & Thomam Jones fore & esse primos & modernos Custodes mysterii & societatis predict’ continuand’ in eisdem officiis a dat’ presentium usque ad vicessimum diem Augusti proxim’ sequen’ & deinde quousque tres alii ad officia illa Magistri & Custodum artis sive mysterii & societatis predict’ debito modo electi & perfecti fuerint juxta ordinationes & provisiones in hiis presentibus express’ & declarat’ si iidem Edmundus Phillips, Stephanus Higgins & Thomas Jones tam diu vixerint (nisi interim pro mala gubernatione aut male se gerend’ in ea parte aut pro aliqua alia causa rationabili ab officiis illis amoti erunt aut eorum aliquis amotus erit.) Et assignavimus eciam ac nominavimus creavimus constituimus & fecimus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successoribus nostris assignamus creamus nominamus constituimus & facimus dilectos nobis predict Johannem Wolfgangfumler * * &ci * * in arte & mysterio Pharmacopol’ edoct’ educat’ & expert’ fore’ & esse primos et modernos Assistentes ejusdem mysterii & societatis Pharmacopol’ continuand’ in eisdem officiis & locis durant’ vitis suis naturalibus nisi interim pro mala qubernatione seu male se gerend’ in ea parte aut pro aliqua alia causa rationabili amoti fuerint aut eorum aliqui vel aliquis amotus erit vel amoti erunt. Qui quidem Assistentes mysterii & societat’ predict’ sacrimenta sua corporalia coram Francisco Bacon Milite Attornat’ nostro General’ Henrico Yelverton Milite Solicit’ nostro generali Theodoro de Mayerne & Henrico Atkins in Medicinis Doctoribus & Johanne Towneley Armigero vel coram duobus eorum Quibus quinque vel eorum duobus plenam potestatem & authoritatem sacramenta predict’ Assisten’ myster’ predict’ dare & administrare damus & concedimus per presentes infra quadraginta dies post dat’ presentium ad officia sua predict’ bene & fideliter exequend’ prestabunt. Ac eciam predict’ Magister myster’ predict’ & Custodes myster’ & societat’ predict’ sacramenta sua corporalia coram Assisten’ myster’ predict’ vel majore parte eorundem infra quinquaginta dies post dat’ presentium bene & fideliter ad dictum officium Magistri & Custod’ myster’ & societat’ predict’ exequend’ in omnibus eisdem Officiis tangen’ seu concernen’ prestabunt. Et sic de tempore in tempus toties quoties Magister & Custodes Myster’ & Societatis predict’ elect’ & perfect’ fuer’ antequam ad executionem predict’ Officii admittantur seu eorum aliquis admittatur.
Et ulterius volumus ac per presentes pro nobis hered’ & successor’ nostris concedimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati mysterii Pharmacopol’ predict’ & successor’ suis quod Magister Custodes & Assistentes Mysterii & Societatis predict’ pro tempore existen’ & successor’ sui ad numerum tredecim personar’ vel plurium (si tot convenienter congregari possint) de tempore in tempus perpetuis futuris temporibus potestatem & authoritatem habeant & habebunt annuatim & quolibet anno imperpetuum in & super vicessimum diem Augusti vel infra octo dies proxim’ post dictum vicessimum diem Augusti eligend’ & nominand’ Et quod eligere & nominare possint & valeant tres de probioribus & discretioribus hominibus Societatis predict’ quorum unus erit Magister & alteri duo erunt Custodes Mysterii & Societatis predict’ pro uno anno integro tunc proxim’ sequen’ & deinde quosque tres alii probi & discreti homines myster’ predict’ elect’ & prefect’ fuerint juxta Ordinationes & Provisiones in hiis presentibus express’ & declarat’.
Et ulterius volumus & per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ nostris concedimus prefatis Magistro Custod’ & Societati Myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ & Successor’ suis Quod si contigerit Magistrum & Custodes myster’ & Societat’ predict’ aut eorum aliquos vel aliquem aliquo tempore infra unum annum postquam ad Officia Magistri & Custod’ Myster’ & Societatis predict’ sic ut prefertur elect’ & prefect’ fuerint aut eorum aliquis vel aliqui fuerit vel fuerint obire aut ab officiis amoveri (quos quidem Magistrum & Custodes ac eorum quemlibet pro mala gubernatione aut pro aliqua causa rationabili per reliquos Magist’ et Custod’ non offenden’ vel delinquentes & Assistentes myster’ & societatis predict’ pro tempore existen’ ad numerum tredecim personar’ vel plurium de tempore in tempus amobiles esse volumus) quod tunc & toties bene liceat & licebit tantis & tot eorundem Magist’ Custod’ & Assistent’ qui adtunc supervixerint vel remanserint ad numerum tredecim personarum vel plurium ad libitum suum unum alium vel plures alios in Magistrum & Custodem vel Custodes Myster’ & Societatis predict’ eligere & preficere secundum ordinationem & provisionem in hiis presentibus declarat’ ad exequend’ & exercend’ prefat’ officia Magistri & Custod’ myster’ & societatis predict’ usque ad vicessimum diem Augusti tunc proxim’ sequen’ vel infra octo dies ante vicessimum diem Augusti & exinde quousque tres alii probi & discreti homines myster’ & societatis predict’ elect’ & nominat’ erunt juxta ordinationes & provisiones in hiis presentibus declarat’ & express’ & sic toties quoties casus sic acciderit.
Et ulterius volumus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ nostris ordinamus & concedimus prefat’ Magist’ Custod’ & societati mysterii predicti & suceessor’ suis quod quandocunque contigerit aliquem vel aliquos de predict’ viginti & uno Assisten’ pro tempore existen’ myster’ & societatis predict’ obire aut pro aliqua causa rationabili ab officiis suis Assisten’ myster’ & societatis predict’ amoveri (quos quidem Assistentes & eorum quemlibet se non bene gerentes aut gerentem in officiis illis aut pro aliqua alia causa rationabili de tempore in tempus per Magistrum Custod’ & Assisten’ ad numerum tredecim personar’ vel plurium qui adtunc remanserint vel supervixerint amobiles esse volumus) ad libitum suum de tempore in tempus unum alium vel plures alios de probioribus & dignioribus personis existen’ de myster’ & societat predict’ in locum sive loca ipsius Assistentis vel ipsorum assistentium myster’ & societatis predict’ sic mori vel amoveri contingen’ vel contingent’ eligere nominare & preficere ad supplend’ predictum numerum viginti & unius Assistentium predict’. Quodque ille sive illi posquam sic (ut prefertur) elect’ & nominat’ fuerit vel electi & nominati fuerint antequam ad executionem predict’ officii Assistentis vel Assistentium myster’ & societat’ predict’ admittantur sive eorum aliquis admittatur Sacrimentum Corporale super sacrosanct’ Evangel’ coram Magistro & Custod’ Myster’ & Societat’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ ad officia illa recte bene fideliter & honeste exequend’ & ad ea omnia secreta tenend’ que in Cur’ Assisten’ presentia ipsius vel ipsorum erunt communicat’ vel colloquut’ prestabit & prestabunt & sic toties quoties casus acciderit.
Damus insuper ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ nostris concedimus prefatis Magistro Custod’ & Societat’ artis & myster’ Pharmacopolar’ predict’ & successor’ suis quod Magister & Custodes myster’ & societat’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ habeant & habebunt plenam potestatem & authoritatem de tempore in tempus ad tradend’ & ministrand’ Sacramentum Corporale super sacrosanct’ Evangelium tam omnibus Magistris Custod’ & Assisten’ myster’ & societat’ predict’ imposterum eligend’ & in eadem officia sive loca ut prefertur admittend’ ac omnibus Offician’ myster’ & societat’ predict’ pro debit’ executione officior’ suor’ recte bene & fideliter in omnibus separatim officia sua tangen’ sive concernen’ quam omnibus Apprenticiis ac aliis liberis hominibus myster’ predict’ quibuscunque.
Et ulterius ut nos subditor’ nostror’ saluti ac bono publico quantum in nobis est consulamus ac ut pericula & incommoda illa assidue accidentia per imperitos & inexpertos dolosos & improbos homines artem Pharmacopol’ predict’ exercen’ melius devitentur volumus & de gratia nostra speciali certa scientia & mero motu nostris per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ suis quod non liceat aut licebit deinceps imposterum alicui persone vel aliquibus personis quibuscunque jam existen’ aut imposterum futuris liberis hominibus myster’ Grocer’ predict’ aut aliquar’ aliar’ artium facultat’ sive myster’ in civitate London ac in eisdem arte facultate sive myster’ educat’ vel educand’ officinam vel shoppam Pharmacopol’ instruere tenere vel habere aut medicamenta quecunque facere miscere condere componere preparare propinare applicare aut administrare aut ulla medicamenta composita aut compositiones medicinales viz aquas distillatas compositas, vel olea chymica, apozemeta, syrapos conservas eclegma, electuaria, condita medicinabilia, pilulas, pulveres, trochiscos, olea, unguenta, emplastra ullo modo divendere propalare edere exercere aut venditioni aliqui personæ vel aliquibus personis quibuscunque exponere aliter quocunque modo arte facultate sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ aut aliqua ejus parte uti aut exercere infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ sub pena quinque librarum pro quolibet mense quo hujusmodi persona sive persone artem & myster’ Pharmacopol’ (ut prefertur) exerceat aut exerceant contra veram intentionem harum Litter’ Paten’. Que quidem forisfactur’ & penalit’ per districtionem vel per actionem debiti in nomine Custodis Junioris pro tempore existen’ prosequi aut aliter in aliquibus Curiis nostris apud Westm’ de tempore in tempus leventur & recuperentur dimidium inde ad usum predict’ Magistri Custod’ & Societatis myster’ Pharmacopol’ capiend’ & applicand’.
Volumus eciam ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successoribus nostris concedimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ & successor’ suis quod nulla persona sive persone quecunque officinam aut shopam Pharmacopol’ habeat teneat aut instruat habeant instruant aut artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ exerceat aut exerceant aut quecunque medicamenta faciat misceat condat componat preparet propinet applicat administret ant ulla medicamenta composita aut compositiones ullo modo divendere propalare edere exercere aut venundare alicui persone vel aliquibus personis quibuscunque infra Civitatem London & libertat’ ejusdem aut infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ nisi hujusmodi persona & persone per spatium septem annorum ad minus ut Apprenticius vel Apprenticii cum aliquo vel aliquibus Pharmacopol’ eandem artem exercen’ & libero homine ejusdem mysterii existen’ educat’ instruat’ & edoct’ fuit vel fuerint. Et postquam hujusmodi septem anni servicii sive Tyrocinii (ut prefertur) fuerint elapsi & extract’ Quod tunc unusquisque talis Apprenticius coram Magistro & Custod’ pro tempore existen’ appareat & presentetur. Ac per eosdem Magistrum & Custod’ (advocat’ sibi Presdent’ Collegii seu Communitat’ facultat’ medicine London pro tempore existen’ aut aliquo medico aut aliquibus medicis per dictum Presidentem nominand’ & ad hoc de tempore in tempus assignand’ si super monitionem inde fact’ tal pred’ medicus vel tal’ predicti Medici adesse voluerint vel voluerit & advisament’ cum eodem vel eisdem habit’) circa cognitionem & electionem Simplicium & circa medicament’ preparationem dispensationem tractationem commixtionem & compositionem examenetur probetur tentetur ac per eosdem Medicos Magistrum & Custodes spectatus & approbatus fuerit priusquam officinam Pharmacopol’ habere tenere instruere aut medicamenta quecunque preparare facere permiscere condere componere propinare administrare propalare edere exercere divendere aut venditioni exponere aut aliter quocunque modo artem Pharmacopoli aut aliquem ejusdem partem exercere infra Civitatem London & libertat’ ejusdem aut infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ presumat.
Ac ulterius de uberiori gratia nostra speciali & ex certa sciencia & mero motu nostris pro meliori regimine & gubernatione omnium & singular’ personarum que modo exercent aut imposterum exercebunt artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London seu suburbia ejusdem vel infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitatis dedimus & concessimus ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successoribus nostris damus & concessimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ & successor’ suis Quod Magist’ & Custod’ myster’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ & successores sui de cetero imperpetuum plenam potestatem & authoritatem habeant & habebunt de tempore in tempus capere & habere supervis’ scrutinium examinationem gubernationem & correctionem omnium & omnimod’ tam liberorum hominum quam alior’ quorumcunque uten’ sive exercen’ artem myster’ sive facultat’ Pharmacopol’ aut aliquam (ut prefertur) ejusdem partem infra dictam Civitat’ nostram London libertat’ & suburbia ejusdem Civitat’ tam infra libertates quam extra ubi aliqua persona uten’ sive exercen’ artem mysterium sive facultatem Pharmacopœie aut aliquam ejusdem partem inhabitabit aut commorabit seu inhabitare & commorare contigerit Quodque iidem Magist’ & Custod’ & eorum successores aut eorum aliqui vel aliquis aut aliqui Assisten’ per Magistrum & Custod’ nominand’ & assignand’ temporibus congruis & convenien’ ac modo & forma convenien’ & legitim’ de tempore in tempus quoties iisdem Magistro & Custodibus videbitur expedire ingredi & intrare possint & valeant in aliquam vel aliquis officinam vel officinas shopam vel shopas domum vel domos aliquar’ personar’ sive alicujus persone cujuscunque uten’ sive exercen’ artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ aut aliquam ejusdem partem infra Civitat’ London Suburbia & ejusdem libertat’ predict’ aut infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ tam infra libertat’ quam extra ubi aliqua medicamenta simplicia vel composita merces drogma recept’ aque distillat’ olea chymica syrupi conserve eclegmata electuar’ pilule pulveres trochisci olea unguenta emplastra aut aliqua alia quecunque que ad artem sive mysterium Pharmacopol’ (ut prefertur) pertinent sive spectant probabiliter sive verisimiliter inveniri poterint Et ad supervidend’ scrutinand’ & proband’ si eadem medicamenta simplicia vel composita merces drogma recept’ aque distillat’ olea chymica syrupi conserve eclegmata electuaria pilule pulveres trochisci olea unguenta emplastra aut aliqua alia quecunque ad artem sive mysterium Pharmacopol’ predict’ pertinent’ sint aut erunt bona salubria medicinabilia apta & idonea ad Curam salutem & relevamen subditor’ nostror’ Ac eciam quod prefat’ Magister & Custod’ myster’ predict’ & Assisten’ predict’ pro tempore existen’ ad hoc per Magistrum & Custod’ nominand’ & assignand’ & successores sui de tempore in tempus plenam potestatem & authoritatem habeant & virtute presentium habebunt ad examinand’ & proband’ omnes & singulas personas profiten’ uten’ sive exercen’ aut qui imposterum profitebuntur utentur aut exercebunt artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ aut aliquam ejusdem partem infra predict’ Civitat’ London suburbia aut libertates ejusdem aut infra septem miliaria ejusdem Civitat’ tam infra libertates quam extra de & concernen’ eorum cujuslibet cognitione & scientia in predit’ arte sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ Et ad omnes illos quos imposter’ aut imperit’ inscient’ & insufficientes vel ad examinand’ vigore presentium obstinatos & repugnant’ in arte & myster’ predicto invenient ab exercitio usu & pract’ myster’ sive artis predict’ amovend’ & prohibend’ Nec non ad omnia & singula medicamenta merces drogma recept’ aquas distillat’ olea chymica syrupos conservas eclegmata electuaria pilulas pulveres trochiscos olea unguenta & emplastra ceteraque omnia & singula ad artem predict’ pertinentia que falsa illegitima adulterat’ inveterat’ exoleta insalubria corrupta immedicinabilia perniciosa aut nociva inveniunt ante delinquentium fores comburend’ mulctamque eciam ac al’ penas & penalitat’ per fines & amerciamenta in tales delinquentes statuant exponant & exequantur secundum eorum sanas discretiones & ordinationes per ipsos & successores suos sic (ut prefertur) fiend’ & constituend.’
Volentes ac per presentes pro nobis heredibus & successor’ nostris firmiter injungend’ precipientes & mandentes omnibus & singulis Majoribus Justiciar’ Ballivis Constabular’ & omnibus aliis officiar’ ministris & subditis nostris quibuscunque quod sint assistentes auxiliantes & confortantes prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Assistan’ myster’ & societates Pharmacopol’ predict’ & eorum cuilibet & successor’ suis ad faciend’ gaudend’ habend’ & exequend’ ea omnia & singula per nos prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati & Successor’ suis per has literas nostras Paten’ concess’ & quamlibet sive aliquam inde partem & parcell’.
Et ulterius volumus ac per presentes de ampliori gratia nostra speciali certa scientia & mero motu nostris pro nobis hered’ & successor’ nostris concedimus prefat’ Magistro Custod’ & Societati myster’ Pharmacopol’ Civitat’ London predict’ & successor’ suis Quod ipsi prefati Magist’ Custodes & Societas myster’ Pharmacopol’ predict’ habeant teneant retineant & gaudeant ac habere retinere & gaudere valeant & possint tot tanta talia eadem hujusmodi & consimil’ Franches’ privilegia consuetudines immunitates acquietan’ profima commoditates increment’ advantag’ & emolumenta quecunque in aromatibus Pharmacis Drogmis & aliis rebus & materiis quibuscunque ad artem sive myster’ Pharmacopol’ spectan’ & pertinen’ emend’ mercand’ seu comparan’ quot’ quant’ qual’ & que ac in tam amplis modo & forma prout antehac unquam habuerunt tenuerunt & gavisi fuerunt aut habere gaudere & tenere aliquo modo debuerunt quando cum predict’ liberis hominibus myster’ Grocer’ remanser’ ac unum Corpus corporatum & Politicum promiscue & indivisim cum eisdem fecerunt & fuerunt.