, then, that the
parson-physician was no stranger to the Virginia colony.

As early as 1619, Robert Pawlett, known to be a preacher, surgeon, and
physician, came to Virginia. He was followed by other parson-physicians
in Virginia and in other colonies. As late as the end of the eighteenth
century, the wife of George Washington called on the Reverend Greene,
M.D., for medical advice.

Among the most interesting in this long tradition of ministers who
practiced medicine is the Reverend John Clayton whose activities have
been noted. Other persons residing in Virginia and combining the role
of clergyman with a considerable interest in medicine were Nathaniel
Eaton, who had a degree in medicine, and John Banister who was an
active naturalist. As a naturalist, he made an important study of the
plants of Virginia (_Catalogue of Virginia Plants_) which added to
the literature available for the dispenser of medicinal drugs. One of
the founders of Presbyterianism in America, the Reverend Francis
Makemie, who came to America in 1681 and died in Accomack County,
Virginia, was described as a preacher, a doctor of medicine, a
merchant, an attorney--and a disturber of government by the governor of
New York.

LAW AND MEDICINE

Although the Crown did not follow the lead of the Company in providing
care for the sick and unsheltered, the authorities after 1624 did have
the state take an interest in medicine to the extent of passing laws
dealing with medical problems and situations. These laws were primarily
concerned with the collection and charging of fees, but also provided
for the censure of the physician or surgeon neglecting his patient.

On four occasions during the century the Assembly attempted to regulate
the excessive and immoderate rates of physicians and surgeons. The
chief example used to convey the injustice of fees for visits and drugs
was that many colonists preferred to allow their servants to hazard a
recovery than to call a medical man. Although an inhumane attitude, the
colonists reasoned that the physician or surgeon would charge more than
the purchase price of the servant.

The act of 1657-58 reveals this attitude and throws some light on the
medical practice of the century. (Similar acts had been passed in 1639
and in 1645 and would be passed in 1661-62.) By the will of the
Assembly, the layman had the right to bring the physician or surgeon
into court if the charge for "paines, druggs or medicines" was tho