AN

1:4:1826.

EXPOSITION

OF

THE STATE

OF THE

MEDICAL PROFESSION

IN THE

British Dominions ;

AND OF THE INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF THE MONOPOLY,
BY USURPATION, OF

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS

IN LONDON.

"All men possessed of uncontrolled discretionary power, leading to the aggrandisement and
profit of their own body, have always abused it; and I see no particular sanctity in our
own times, that is at all likely, by a miraculous operation, to overrule the course of
nature."- BURKE,

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,

PATERNOSTER ROW.

M.DCCC.XXVI.

589.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY J. MOYES, BOUVERIE STREET.

TO THE

RIGHT HON. ROBERT PEEL,

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT,

Whose authority as a MINISTER OF the Crown, and enlightened views as a LEGISLATOR, afford sure guarantees for the investigation and correction of abuses ;

THIS EXPOSITION

of grievances, which, for the advantage, real or imaginary, of a very few individuals, have, for centuries, deeply and extensively affected the welfare of the Public, the interests of the Medical Profession, the progress of Medical Science, and the rights of the Universities,

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.

AN

EXPOSITION

OF THE

STATE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, &c.

In order that the community may derive the greatest sum of good from the exercise of any profession, it is essential that the number of its members should, like commodities in commerce, be limited only by the demand. Where there are artificial limitations, there cannot be complete emulation and unrestrained competition, and the public service must consequently suffer. The importance of this principle is acknowledged, as it regards the most ordinary concerns of trade; and the present administration of this country have deservedly obtained much credit for its application extensively to the affairs of commerce. But if its application in respect to common commodities be essentially conducive to public prosperity, is it not also indispensable to that condition without which prosperity cannot be enjoyed, that, in respect to the supply of medical assistance, there should

B