page_title: Rose v Royal College of Physicians
section_title: The Society of Apothecaries
hierarchical_section_title: Rose v Royal College of Physicians / Parties / The Society of Apothecaries
caption_attribution_description: English: Author(s): Hinchliff, John James, 1805-1875, engraver Contributor(s): Shepherd, Thomas H. (Thomas Hosmer), artist Publication: [London&#160;: s.n., 1850?] Language(s): English Format: Still image Genre(s): Pictorial Works Abstract: View of the building's façade and courtyard. Extent: 1 print&#160;: 14 x 19 cm. Provenance: Gift; William H. Helfand; 2003; 03-20. Technique: engraving, hand color NLM Unique ID: 101461779 NLM Image ID: C05667 Permanent Link: http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101461779
context_page_description: Rose v Royal College of Physicians, also known as The Rose Case, was a 1703 British landmark court case between the Royal College of Physicians and William Rose, a Liveryman of the Society of Apothecaries. Rose had treated a John Seale, who complained about his treatment to the RCP, who brought a successful court action against Rose in 1703. The Society of Apothecaries and Rose successfully appealed against this judgement. However, this did not change medical practice but merely legitimised what apothecaries were doing already and confirmed the "status quo". It did, nevertheless, symbolize the decline in the College's growing legal monopoly over who practises medicine. The case was ultimately seen as not one between a College and one individual, but one between one powerful College against one powerful Society.
  Following a two-year debate on the definition of "physick", evidence supplied by butcher John Seale and the Royal College of Physicians was used in court to successfully prosecute Rose for practising 'physick' and administering medicines.
context_section_description: Apothecaries originated in the supply of medicinal spices and herbs, gained a separate identity from grocers in 1617, and established a right to treat the sick during the plague of 1665, when many physicians and their rich patients fled London. By the time of the trial, apothecaries were appearing increasingly on the list of highest tax payers and the Society of Apothecaries was also “one of the most considerable corporations of London" and "politically powerful".
caption: Apothecaries Hall, Pilgrim St Engraved by John James Hinchliff from a drawing by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd, c. 1850.[12]
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