The gory history of barber surgeons - Stephanie Honchell Smith

Summary

In 15th century France, barbers were more than hairdressers—they were barber-surgeons, performing medical procedures like tooth extractions and amputations. This practice emerged when monks, prohibited by the Church from spilling blood, left surgery to barbers. As universities focused on theoretical medicine, barber-surgeons gained prominence, especially during times of famine and war. The legacy of figures like Ambroise Paré and their contributions to medicine still resonates today, notably in the iconic barber pole, symbolizing blood and bandages.

Takeaways

• 😀 Barbers in 15th-century France not only cut hair but also performed surgeries such as tooth extractions, stitches, and amputations.
• 😀 The role of barber-surgeons emerged because monks, who once handled surgeries, were banned from spilling blood by the Catholic Church in 1215.
• 😀 Medical procedures like surgery were seen as separate from academic medicine, leading to barbers taking on surgical roles.
• 😀 Barber-surgeons trained through apprenticeships, often combining anatomical knowledge with astrology for medical decision-making.
• 😀 Bloodletting was a common practice, with specific body parts targeted for different ailments, guided by memorized poems.
• 😀 The Little Ice Age in the 14th century led to famines and widespread illnesses, increasing the need for barber-surgeons to perform amputations.
• 😀 Gangrene, caused by contaminated food or poor living conditions, was treated by barber-surgeons through amputations, often using crude methods.
• 😀 Barber-surgeons also traveled with armies, providing both haircuts and medical care during military campaigns.
• 😀 Ambroise Paré, a famous barber-surgeon, pioneered medical practices like using antiseptic salves instead of boiling oil for wounds during the 16th century.
• 😀 By the 18th century, as medical knowledge advanced, surgery became more specialized, leading to a split between barbers and surgeons into distinct professions.
• 😀 The legacy of the barber-surgeon is still visible today in the red and white stripes of the barber pole, symbolizing blood and bandages from their past work.

Q & A

Why were barbers in 15th century France involved in surgeries?

Barbers in 15th century France were involved in surgeries because, following an edict in 1215 that banned monks from spilling blood, barbers took over many of the medical tasks that had previously been performed by monks. Barbers were skilled with sharp blades and often worked in monasteries and medical settings, so their role naturally expanded to include surgeries like tooth extractions, amputations, and wound care.

What was the relationship between monks and barber-surgeons in medieval Europe?

Monks in medieval Europe initially performed medical tasks due to their proximity to sharp tools and their religious requirements to be clean-shaven. However, after the church's 1215 edict banning monks from spilling blood, barbers began to take over surgical duties. Barbers-surgeons were trained in a variety of medical techniques, sometimes learning anatomy alongside astrology.

What role did astrology play in the practices of barber-surgeons?

Astrology played an important role in the medical practices of barber-surgeons. They believed that celestial events, such as the phases of the moon, influenced health and treatment. For example, the timing of bloodletting was often chosen based on astrological knowledge, with specific body parts linked to particular lunar phases.

How did the Little Ice Age impact the work of barber-surgeons?

The Little Ice Age caused unpredictable weather and regular famines, which, combined with ergot-contaminated rye flour, led to widespread illnesses. Many of these illnesses caused gangrene, which often required amputation. Barber-surgeons were the primary professionals tasked with performing these amputations, sometimes using rudimentary methods like covering stumps with animal bladders.

What is the significance of Ambroise Paré in the history of barber-surgeons?

Ambroise Paré was a renowned barber-surgeon who significantly advanced medical practice. He gained fame as a military surgeon, especially for his opposition to the use of boiling oil in gunshot wounds. Instead, he applied an antiseptic salve, which became standard treatment. Paré also helped bridge the gap between barber-surgeons and doctors by publishing medical textbooks and teaching at France's first surgical college.

What were some of the key medical procedures performed by barber-surgeons?

Barber-surgeons performed a range of medical procedures, including tooth extractions, bloodletting, stitching wounds, and amputations. They also treated gangrene and infections, often with rudimentary methods like applying animal bladders to healing wounds.

How did barber-surgeons contribute to military medicine?

Barber-surgeons were essential to military medicine, accompanying armies on campaigns to provide both haircuts and wound care. Their skills in treating battlefield injuries, including amputations and stitching, were crucial for saving soldiers' lives and preventing infection.

Why did barbers and surgeons eventually split into separate professions?

By the 18th century, advances in medical knowledge and the growing specialization of surgery led to a separation between barbers and surgeons. Surgeons began receiving formal education at universities, while barbers continued their trade through apprenticeships. This distinction was partly influenced by the medical establishment, which sought to establish clearer professional boundaries.

What is the historical origin of the red-and-white striped barber pole?

The red-and-white striped barber pole is a symbol of the barber-surgeon's legacy. The red stripes are said to represent blood, and the white stripes symbolize the bandages used by barber-surgeons in their medical practices, particularly during surgeries and wound care in medieval times.

How did barbers-surgeons train for their medical roles?

Barber-surgeons trained through extended apprenticeships rather than formal medical schooling. They learned anatomy, surgical techniques, and other medical practices through hands-on experience, often combining this with knowledge of astrology. They also memorized medical poems to help remember key procedures, such as where to perform bloodletting for specific ailments.