Volume 1

Microcosm of London / [Anon].

Date:
[1808-1811]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Microcosm of London / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    one, two, three, or four human bodies to dissect or anatomize, having been con- demned and dead.” In the year 1596, they prayed relief from the queen’s council against the city of London, for an infringement of their privileges; and obtained a precept, directed to the mayor and aldermen, “ That as even heretofore they (the College of Physicians) had been discharged from all burdens and impositions to which other citizens were liable, so now at that present likewise they should be forborne.” About the same period, a complaint being preferred against the college by two persons whom they had lined for irregular practice, their privileges were further confirmed by the solemn award of the Lord Chief Justice Popham; the most important part of which appears to be, “ that no man, though ever so learned a physician or doctor, might practice in London, or within seven miles, without the college licence.” James I. granted this society a charter, dated 8th October, anno regni 15, which was renewed by Charles II. and James II. By this latter the number of fellows was increased from fifty to eighty, and candidates who had taken their degrees in foreign universities, were qualified to become fellows. The object of this institution, and of the several charters which have been granted to it, was certainly to enable the society to prevent the practice of physic by ignorant pretenders, or persons unqualified for the profession. That such an object was extremely desirable, and most devoutly to be wished, can admit of no reasonable doubt: but either the authority has proved in- sufficient, or the means which have been employed to obtain the object have
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