othecary to rate them as he lists,
and to this purpose they put in print the prices of them every year.

Secondly, Suppose a Physician hath prescribed a Pint of Juleb, &c. to
be taken at four several times, some Apothecaries carry not the whole
pint at once, but divide it into four parts, and carry but one at a
time, and so of other Medicines, and then will charge their Bill for
every single Potion, or Draught, as they ought the whole Pint; so that
by this Art they gain four times as much for the whole Medicine as in
Conscience they ought; and a Juleb, which cost them six pence, will be
rated at 10, 12, or more Shillings. But perhaps 'tis fit they should
be paid for their created Visits; and for this unnecessary
officiousness, persons of great estates may be contented to pay
roundly, if they please.

Thirdly, When a Physician hath prescribed 20 Pills, some of the
Apothecaries will make 30 of them, under pretence the Patient cannot
swallow them else; now reckoning each Pill at a certain rate (as they
usually do) they gain a third part more then they ought.

Fourthly, To advance the prices, you shall hardly ever see a Bill
without Bezoar, or Pearls in it, to make people think them very
chargeable; whereas sometimes there is not above a grain or two of
these dear ingredients in the prescription, and a few grains of these
or Ambergrise doubles or trebles the prices of the Medicines, and are
sure never to be omitted in their Bills, besides the guilding of the
Pills, and covering their Bolusses, and Electuaries with Gold (which
have only an imaginary and no real use in Medicines so used) much
inhanseth their prices, and a rich Cordial inserted exceedingly
advanceth most of their Bills; or if China or any other dear
ingredient be in the receipt 'tis not omitted.

Fifthly, Some Apothecaries offer, and perhaps some Physicians have
taken presents to help them to Customers, which must necessarily be
squeazed out of their higher-rated Medicines.

Sixthly, I have heard some prudent persons complain of their bringing
in their Bills but once in a year, or two; supposing they made them
pay Lombards Usury for their forbearance. And through this neglect
they sometimes lose their money, and whether they raise other Mens
Bills to make up these losses, I affirm not.

Seventhly, Another cause of raising their prices is a necessity of
keeping in their Shops such Medicines as are seldom used, or such as
must upon necessity decay, and gr