THIS last years Bill of Mortality , as well as the many poor Diseased , have given to some a just occasion of Reflecting on the great Numbers which Annually Dye within the City of London , and parts adjacent , comprized in the Weekly Bills of Mortality ; whereof very many , by Gods Blessing , upon the true Methods of a Skilful , Careful , and Early Application of the Art of Physick , might in all probability have been preserved alive .

Therefore , in order to so good and great an End , it is humbly proposed , that a more compleat practical Constitution of Physick according to the following Method , may be upon rational Demonstration Established ; whereby Care may be taken , that all Sick , as well Poor as Rich , shall be Advised and Visited , when needful , by Approved , Skillful Phisicians , and Surgeons ; and furnished with necessary Medicines in all Diseases , except the Pox , Midwifry , and Cutting for the Stone ; for which three last Calamities , some small Additional Allowance may be setled : Because the Pox may not be hereby encouraged , and Deliveries require mighty Pains , and unseasonable hours ; and the Stone is not only a particular Dexterity , but requires much Attendance .

And all this , ( Except as before Excepted ) for a small yearly certain Sum Assessed upon each House , not exceeding 〈◇〉 for the greatest Family , nor under 〈◇〉 for the meanest , that are not Objects of Charity : Which respective Sums will not be the third part of what is now spent , only in Apothecaries Bills in a Healthy year . And for this every Individual Person of the Family , as well the Lodger and Servant ; as Master , Mistress and Children , shall , when there is occasion , be sufficiently accommodated : Whereas many at present miserably perish without the least Care , and for want of timely and skilful Assistance . In short , It 's proposed to serve all the Families , Rich and Poor , Little and Great , within the City and parts adjacent , much better and cheaper than at present , with Visits , Advice , Medicine , and Surgery .

It is also further humbly offered , That effectual Care be taken to reform the Practice of Midwifry , according to a Proposal ready to be presented when commanded : And that the Laws already in being may be revised and amended , which provide against the Sale of unwholsome Flesh in the Markets ; and that Bread may be well Baked ; Wine not Sophisticated ; Beer well Brewed ; and the Houses and Streets well cleansed from Dirt and Filth : All these being very common causes of Diseases and Death .

This Constitution consists of the following Members , more or fewer , as the City Occasions and Necessities may require .

First , Ten Noble Curatores .

Secondly , Physicians . One Super-Intendent or President . Two Sub-Intendents . Three Senior Heads of the College . Four Junior Heads . Fourteen Senior Visitors . Seven Principal Secretaries . Fourteen Junior Visitors . Seven Sub-secretaries . Forty two Chief Itinerants . Forty nine Junior Itinerants . Seven Senior Amanuenses . Fourteen Junior Amanuenses .

In all One hundred sixty four .

Of this Number , besides the three Intendents in the Chief College in Warwick-lane , there will be Twenty three Physicians more : As also Twenty three in each other the six Colleges . Seven Colleges being thought at present more than sufficient to serve the Bills of Mortality , with Convenience and Ease to the Inhabitants thereof : In each of which Colleges there are as followeth .

One Master , Head or Principal . Two Senior Visitors . Two Junior Visitors . One Principal Secretary . One Sub-secretary . Six Senior Itinerants . Seven Junior Itinerants . One Senior Amanuensis . Two Junior Amanuenses .

In all Twenty three .

The convenient places for the Seven Colleges may be 1. The Present College . 2. Lincolns-Inn-Fields . 3. Near Charing-Cross . 4. Near the Poultry . 5. Southwark near the Hospital . 6. Near Bishops-gate . 7. In or about Goodmans-fields .

Which places are to be published in Print about a Fortnight before the Settlement , that all may know where to apply for help .

Thirdly , Chyrurgions . One Master . One Deputy . Seven Wardens . Twenty eight Assistants . Fifty six Mates . Twenty eight Junior Mates .

In all One hundred twenty one .

Of this Number , besides the Master and Deputy , at the Chief College , there are Seventeen in each of the Colleges , viz.

One Warden . Four Assistants . Eight Mates . Four Junior Mates .

In all Seventeen .

Some of which , besides Chirurgery , shall practice Midwifry , Cut for the Stone , Reduce Dislocations , And draw Teeth , in each College .

Fourthly , Apothecaries . One Master . One Deputy . Seven Wardens . Fourteen Assistants . Forty two Mates . Forty two Journey-men . Forty two Sub-Journey-men .

In all One hundred forty nine .

Of this Number , besides the Master and Deputy at the Chief College , there are Twenty one in each College , viz.

One Warden . Two Assistants . Six Mates . Six Journey-men . Six Sub-Journey-men .

In all Twenty one .

If the Number of any Exceeds the Inhabitants Necessities , it may be ( as they dye out ) lessened , by not supplying : But if not sufficient , it may be Augmented .

Inducements for this New Establishment of Physick .

I. TO preserve Health and save Lives , is always a Publick Good , but more especially in time of War .

II . That Medicine is highly useful to those great Ends , is and has been always the general Judgment of Mankind .

III . That every Good Quò Communius eò Melius ; but that as Physick is now managed , not only the very Poor , but meaner sort of Tradesmen and their Families , Servants , and Misers , deter'd by Physitians Fees , and Apothecaries Bills , have little or no Benefit by Physick .

IV . That by these means , together with the want of timely and frequent Visits , many dye yearly that might be preserved ; and Epidemical and Contagious Distempers arise and are propagated .

V. That Physicians and Chirurgions may ( and possible many do ) having no Check , or Supervisors , for Lucre sake , prolong Cures , to the hazard of Life ; and by new Experiments upon their own single Judgment destroy many .

VI . That Apothecaries may be careless in their Mixtures , or Unskillful ; or may Administer things improper or decayed , or tire their Patients with needless and nauseous Medicines for their own Advantage .

VII . Mountebanks , and Cheats in Physick , are found by Experience , to conduce extreamly to the Ruine of Peoples Healths , and loss oft-times , of their Lives , as well as of their Money .

VIII . That by this Constitution all those Ills will be prevented , all will have equal Help and Benefit : all will apply in time , since they may hope for Cure without fear of Charge : Diseases taken early more easily removed : Frequent Visits will be made , which in acute Diseases are most necessary ; changes therein being often so great and sudden , that Life is frequently lost for want of a timely Visit . Consultations will be had , when necessary , though of the whole Faculty , in difficult cases : Medicines publickly and faithfully prepared will only be given : And Mountebanks , with such others , will hereby sink of themselves , without Law or Trouble .

IX . Nothing will be here Clandestine , that in its own Nature requires not Secrecy . No Mans Ignorance or Negligence can here be prejudicial , for the Constitution directs all , inquires into and Supervises all .

X. Physick and Chyrurgery will be extreamly improv'd , and in little time , by the multitude of Experiments , recording of Observavations , and mutual candid Assistance of the Members , come near to a Demonstration .

XI . The Members of both Houses of Parliament , with their Families , not being House-keepers in Town , will be attended Gratis : And indeed all the Inhabitants of every House , for the small Rate charged thereon : Visits , Physick , and Chyrurgery therein included .

XII . The Advantages of this Constitution may be immediately extended to the great Benefit both of the Navy and Army .

XIII . The Improvement of Health , and Preservation of Life , Encreases People , and that Augments Consumption , Trade , Power and Wealth . And many Forreigners will repair hither for Remedy , when incurable abroad .

XIV . The Proposers are sensible that many Objections will be raised by Prejudice , interest , and for want of a true Information of the Nature , and Tendency of this Constitution ; all which they are ready to answer , and hope the Publick Benefit will outweigh all by , and little Ends.