Physicians and Surgeons.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 159, 3 July 1886, Page 8

Physicians and Surgeons.

Until 1442* the State took no note of medicine. In that year so many " uncon* nynge and unapproved persona," male and female, practised physic, that the only remedy appeared to be a general order that all those who had not a university degree should forthwith be examined at one of the universities on pain of condemnation by the Privy Council. Not till 1513 was any otherlicensing" power acknowledged ; when the bishops were made supreme. All London practitioners of medicine or surgery were to be examined before the Bishop of London, assisted by four doctors of medicine or surgeons j while the other bishops and their-vicars-general were trusted to license country practitioners. Much younger in dignity than the College of Physicians, tti© surgeons can trace their origin far baok,. if in humble associations. The barbers be*came surgeons owing to the assistance they rendered to the monks and the Jews, between whom the mediaeval surgery o£' battlefield, the street brawl, and the duel was divided. Some of the clerical physicians would send their own servants, who acted as their barbers, to perform cold affusions on heads previously shaved, to bleed, and to perform operations, which were considered* menial acts. These barbers naturallymagnified their office, and in time, like the apothecaries, became more or lees independent practitioners As early as Edward IFa~ reign, a company of barbers was founded, and in Edward IV's reign the first Koyal charter was granted to the barber surgeons.