MERRETT, Christopher. A Short View of the Frauds, and Abuses committed by Apothecaries; as well in relation to patients, as physicians and of the only remedy thereof by physicians making their own medicines
London: for James Allestry, 1670
£ 2,500
4to; 40 ff.; quarter green morocco on modern green marbled boards, spine double blind ruled, gilt lettering; imprimatur leaf with repairs to centre and corner not affecting text, small repaired hole and stain to title page, light foxing and small tears to edges not affecting text towards the end.
Second edition of this curious work by Christopher Merrett (1614-1695), a practicing doctor, fellow of the College of Physicians and founder-member of the Royal Society. A close friend of William Harvey, Merrett was librarian of the first Harveian Library.
The work, originally published in 1669, urges physicians to research and dispense their own remedies to their patients, as a way to repel the rising popularity of apothecaries. A proponent for the rising empiricism and experimentalism, and of the advancement of therapy resources in medical practice, Merrett was ahead of his time when pushing for a holistic approach of medical treatment. Unfortunately, his works were not well received by the other fellows and, after the Great Fire devastated most of the Royal College of Physicians Library, Merrett was dismissed as librarian and eventually expelled as member. Nevertheless, he remains well-known as one of the first to make observations on the process of producing sparkling wine, or champagne, published in 1669, even earlier than Dom Pérignon.
ESTC R650; Wing M1844; Wellcome IV p.118