Barber surgeon

The barber surgeon, one of the most common European medical practitioners of the Middle Ages, was generally charged with caring for soldiers during and after battle.

In this era, surgery was seldom conducted by physicians, but instead by barbers, who, possessing razors and dexterity indispensable to their trade, were called upon for numerous tasks ranging from cutting hair to pulling teeth to amputating limbs.

[1] Because physicians performed surgery so rarely, the Middle Ages saw a proliferation of barbers, among other medical "paraprofessionals", including cataract couchers, herniotomists, lithotomists, midwives, and pig gelders[broken anchor].

In 1254, Bruno da Longobucco, an Italian physician who wrote about surgery, expressed concern about barbers performing phlebotomies and scarifications.

[3] This was opposed to "Surgeons of the Short Robe", who did not need to take an exam to qualify[2] and, alongside barbering, would perform minor surgical procedures.

Until the Renaissance, Spanish surgery followed Greek, Arab, and medieval traditions, with significant progress in the 16th century through anatomical studies.

[10] One notable practitioner was Antonio Fernando de Medrano, a professional barber surgeon active in Madrid during the 17th century.

The first known account is that of Hinzikinus from 1324 to 1326, originating from Turku, a city in the southern region of the country, who provided medical preparation and wound care for Viceroy Matts Kettilmundson.

The guild provided guidelines for the barber surgeons' fees or pay, which varied and occasionally depended on how many patients were treated and surgeries were carried out.

One is the traditional red and white barber's pole, or a modified instrument from a blacksmith, which is said to represent the blood and bandages associated with their historical role.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, another vestige is the use of the titles Mr, Ms, Mrs, or Miss rather than Dr by physicians when they complete their surgery qualifications by, for example, the award of an MRCS or FRCS diploma.