Barber-Surgeon, Treating Patient

Barber-surgeon treating the foot of a man. In Europe in the 13th century a new type of craftsmen emerged in towns; the barber-surgeon. They cut hair, they pulled teeth and they 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. Traditionally barbers have a white and red striped pole outside their shop. In the Middle Ages, when many people were illiterate, barber-surgeons hung out a white and red pole to represent blood and bandages

Restrictions Only for Ireland and United Kingdom

Amputation Barber Barber-surgeon Bones Pulled Reshaping Rhinoplasty Surgeon Surgery

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