Barber-Surgeon Treating Patient, 17th Century

Man, sitting on a chair, is having his arm bandaged by the village physician. A concerned woman waits in the background. In Europe in the 13th century a new type of craftsmen emerged in towns; the barber-surgeon. They cut hair, pulled teeth and performed simple operations such as amputations and setting broken bones and looking after soldiers during or after a battle. Barber-surgeons performed a technique for reconstructing the nose paving the way for the development of modern plastic surgery. The barber surgeon was one of the most common medical practitioners of medieval Europe. In 1745 a bill was passed separating barbers from surgeons. When the barber-surgeons separated, the barber kept the pole as their identification. The pole consists of red and white, or red, white and blue stripes. Red for blood, white for bandages and blue for veins. Engraving by Cornelis Dusart. This image has been color enhanced

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Barber Barber-surgeon Colorised Colorization Enhancement Medicinal Seventeeth Surgeon Surgery Surgical

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