Graham Keith Pechey, 1940–2016

John Pechey (1654–1718) and the Popularization of Learned Medicine

“…The medical establishment as a whole, therefore, seems to represent the target of Pechey's own censure, thus showing that although he still depended on it in terms of legitimacy and authority, he also recognized and reacted against its faults and failures. However, some criticism is also more specifically directed to those who may be described as Pechey's competitionother authors, whether named or kept anonymous, whose endeavours he described, as shown in Examples 37 to 39, as less than perfect: 37 'I disapprove of Burnet's Thesaurus, and Bonettus's Mercurius Compilatitius' 97 38 'For in many of our modern Authors, the greatest part of the Paper is wasted about flourishing a Whimsoe [sic], to make it pass for a probable Supposition (and hence the noble Art is term'd conjectural) so that in some of them scarce a Page can be spared for the Cure, that which is the main of the Business being huddled up or touch'd on by the by' 98 39 'We have perused all that have been in this nature in English, and find them strangely deficient, so crowded with unnecessary Notions, and dangerous Mistakes'. 99 The vernacular tradition, which certainly represented both an example, whether positive or negative, and a primary source of material, was in this way also exploited by Pechey to frame his texts as more comprehensive and exact, and therefore intrinsically better, than anything that had previously been published, thus advertising not only his texts, but also himself, and ultimately contributing to the construction and performance of Pechey's identity as an experienced, successful, and, consequently, authoritative practitioner of medicine.…”

“…19 '[…] many are, with good reason, Authoriz'd by the Spiritual Lords to Practise Physick, who are only skill'd in their Mother Tongue […] may be serviceable to Families in the Country, that are far distant from Physicians' 76 20 'I judge it may be serviceable to Ladies and Gentlewomen, who charitably dispence Physick, and give advice to their poor Neighbours in the Country, where there is no Physician near; and it may be also of use to Physicians, Chyrurgeons and Midwives' 77 21 'Containing a perfect DIRECTORY, or Rules for Midwives and Nurses. As also a Guide for Women in their Conception, Bearing and Nursing of Children'.…”

“…Pechey's identification with the College seems to be particularly felt in the preface to Oracle, the text that advertised the Repository and that represented the main reason why the College took an interest in Pechey's case in the first place. 89 Pechey and colleagues consistently identify themselves throughout the preface and introduction with the medical institution, by referring to it with the possessive 'our College' 90 and praising its work, including the Pharmacopoeia, which, by contrast, had been much criticized and disparaged by Culpeper.…”

“… '[…] the most Exact Method of managing the Sick, and properest Remedies to be exhibited to them'47 2 '[…] stock'd with great variety of approved Remedies'.48 …”

“…'By J. Pechey, M. A. Of the College of Physicians in London'86 29 ' All of the Honourable, the Colledge [sic] of Physicians in London, whereof we are Members'87 30 'KNOW all Men, That the President of the College of Physicians, with the Consent of the Fellows of the same, has, by Authority from the King and Parliament, examin'd, and Approved of, and Elected to the College, J. PECHEY Master of Arts in the University of Oxford' 88. …”