COLLEGE of Physicians, a corporation of physicians in London, whose number, by charter, is not to exceed eighty. The chief of them are called fellows, and the next candidates, who fill up the places of fellows as they become vacant by death, or otherwise. Next to these are the honorary fellows, and lastly the licenti ates, that is, such as being found capable upon examination, are allowed to practise physic.
This college has several great privileges granted by charter and acts of parliament. No man can practise physic in or within seven miles of London, without license of the College, under the penalty of 51. Also, persons practising physic in other parts of England are to have letters testimonial from the president and three elects, unless they be graduate physicians of Oxford or Cambridge. Every member of the College is authorized to practise surgery in Lon don, or elsewhere : and that they may be able at all times to attend their patients, they are freed from all parish offices.
The College is governed by a president, four censors, and twelve electors. The censors have, by charter, power to sur vey, govern, and arrest all physicians, or others, practising physic in or within se ven miles of London ; to fine, amerce, and imprison them at discretion ; to search apothecaries' shops, &c. in and about London ; to see if their drugs, &c. be wholesome, and the composition accord ing to the form prescribed by the College in their dispensaries; and to burn, or otherwise destroy, those that are defec tive or decayed, and not fit for use. They are judges of record, and not liable to action for what they do in their practice but by judicial powers ; subject neverthe less to appeal to the College of Physicians. By law, if any person, not expressly allow ed to practise, take upon him the cure of any disease, and the patient die under his hand, it is deemed felony in the prac tiser.