266 PROGRESS OF PHARMACY IN GREAT BRITAIN. 
of various classes, both men and women, who professed lo 
cure disease, some by incantation, others who considered 
that by their genius they were ^ cut out and configurated 
for it/ and others, again, who had obtained a kind of tra- 
ditional education from recognized physicians, and who, 
therefore, constituted the medical profession." 
At that time no laws existed for the protection of the pub- 
he, on the one hand, nor the physician on the other. The 
first act of Parliament, bearing on the profession, was passed 
in the year 1511, and is entitled, "An act for the ap- 
pointing OF Physicians and Surgeons." 3d Henry VIII. 
c. 9. 
It commences thus: " For as much as the science and 
cunning of Physick and Surgery (to the perfect knowledge 
of which be requisite both great learning and ripe expe- 
rience,) is daily within this realm exercised by a great mul- 
titude of ignorant persons, of whom the greater part have 
no manner of insiglit in the same, nor in any other kind of 
learning ; some also can read no letters on the book, so far 
forth that common artificers, as smiths, weavers, and women, 
boldly and accustomably take upon them great cures and 
things of great difficulty, in the which they partially use 
sorcery and witchcraft, partly apply such medicines unto 
the disease as be very noxious, and nothing meet, therefore, 
to the high displeasure of God, great infamy to the faculty, 
and the grievous hurt, damage, and destruction of many of 
the King's liege people, most especially of them that can- 
not discern the uncunning from the cunning. Be it there- 
fore, (to the surety and comfort of all manner of people,) by 
the authority of this present Parliament enacted. That no 
person within the city of London, nor within seven miles 
of the same, take upon him to exercise and occupy, as 
a physician or surgeon, except he be first examined, ap- 
proved, and admitted by the Bishop of London, or by the 
Dean of St. Paul's, for the time being, calling to him or them 
