26th January, 1647. William Watson haveing his Letters of admittance and not sealed the Bond according to the ordinance in that behalfe did amongst other uncivill behaviour and words to our Mrand the Court say That he would not be whipˀd by a Bond and that he would give his answer at his owne convenience. And when our Mrtold him That he must seale the Bond he answered That must was for the King, But this Court gave him a fortnight to give his answer peremptorily.
26th January, 1647. William Watson haveing his Letters of admittance and not sealed the Bond according to the ordinance in that behalfe did amongst other uncivill behaviour and words to our Mrand the Court say That he would not be whipˀd by a Bond and that he would give his answer at his owne convenience. And when our Mrtold him That he must seale the Bond he answered That must was for the King, But this Court gave him a fortnight to give his answer peremptorily.
1655. The following is a Copy of a Surgeon’s Certificate topractise:—
Certificate in thebehalf of aChirurgeon.To all peopleto whom this present writeing shall comeJohn Fredericke EsqrAlderman of the Cittie of London Thomas Allen Abraham Clerke and Thomas Bowden Masrsor Govˀnorsof the Mistery and cominalty of Barbers and Chirurgeons of London send Greeting in our Lord God everlasting.WhereasWeehave had experience & sufficient Tryall as well of the good behaviour & honest conversac͠on of Samuell Holditch a Freeman of the said mistery and Cominaltie & one of the Cloathing of our said Corporac͠on as alsoe of his skill exp̃ience & knowledge in the Arte or Science of Chirurgery.Now know yeethat wee the said Masters or Govˀnors(att the humble suite and entreatie of the said Samuell Holditch & for his further appᵬac͠on of his skill) Have on the day of the date of these presents caused him to be deliberately examined & tryed before us concerning his sufficiency & knowledge in the same arte by WilliamKings211EdwardArris212HenryBoone213RobertBullacke214CharlesStamford215& LawrenceLoe216Masters in Chirurgery being six of the examiners appointed and auth̃ized according to Lawe for the examinac͠on and appᵬac͠on of Chirurgeons And findeing him the said Samuell Holditch a fitt and able pˀson to practice use & exercise the said Arte of Chirurgery Wee doe by these ps̃ents as much as in us is admitt app̃ve of & allowe him to practice use and exercise the said Arte or science ofChirurgery & all and every the parts thereof according to the force forme & effect of the statutes in that behalf made & p̃vided.In Witnessewhereof we the said Masters or Govˀnorshave hereunto subscribed our names & caused the Comõn seale of yesaid Corporac͠on to be fixed this seaventh day of May in the yeare of our Lord God according to the accompt kept in England One thousand six hundred fifty & five.John FrederickTho: AllenAbra: ClerkeTho: Bowden.
Certificate in thebehalf of aChirurgeon.
To all peopleto whom this present writeing shall comeJohn Fredericke EsqrAlderman of the Cittie of London Thomas Allen Abraham Clerke and Thomas Bowden Masrsor Govˀnorsof the Mistery and cominalty of Barbers and Chirurgeons of London send Greeting in our Lord God everlasting.
WhereasWeehave had experience & sufficient Tryall as well of the good behaviour & honest conversac͠on of Samuell Holditch a Freeman of the said mistery and Cominaltie & one of the Cloathing of our said Corporac͠on as alsoe of his skill exp̃ience & knowledge in the Arte or Science of Chirurgery.Now know yeethat wee the said Masters or Govˀnors(att the humble suite and entreatie of the said Samuell Holditch & for his further appᵬac͠on of his skill) Have on the day of the date of these presents caused him to be deliberately examined & tryed before us concerning his sufficiency & knowledge in the same arte by WilliamKings211EdwardArris212HenryBoone213RobertBullacke214CharlesStamford215& LawrenceLoe216Masters in Chirurgery being six of the examiners appointed and auth̃ized according to Lawe for the examinac͠on and appᵬac͠on of Chirurgeons And findeing him the said Samuell Holditch a fitt and able pˀson to practice use & exercise the said Arte of Chirurgery Wee doe by these ps̃ents as much as in us is admitt app̃ve of & allowe him to practice use and exercise the said Arte or science ofChirurgery & all and every the parts thereof according to the force forme & effect of the statutes in that behalf made & p̃vided.
In Witnessewhereof we the said Masters or Govˀnorshave hereunto subscribed our names & caused the Comõn seale of yesaid Corporac͠on to be fixed this seaventh day of May in the yeare of our Lord God according to the accompt kept in England One thousand six hundred fifty & five.
John FrederickTho: AllenAbra: ClerkeTho: Bowden.
1690. The following is a copy of a Press warrant issued by the Masters and Governors to their Beadles, Smith andWills:—
Whereasby certeine Letters pattents of our Late Sovereigne Lord King Charles the first dated the ffifteenth day of August in the first yeare of his reigne As alsoe by order of our Sovereigne Lord the King in Councill beareing date the twenty eight day of December lastWeethe Masters or Governorsof the Mistery & Coiãlty of Barbers & Chirurgions of London are Authorized and required forthwith to cause to be impressed or taken up for their Majtiesservice in Ireland ffortey Chirurgeons Mates & to returne their Names to the Councill Board that care may be taken for their subsistance, In pursuance of the said Authorities & in discharge of the trust in us reposed Wee doe hereby require & com̃and you Peter Smith & Jonas Wills being our officers joyntley & severally to imprest for their MajtiesService fortey Able Chirurgeons Mates delivering every person by you imprest one shilling impresse money chargeing him upon his Allegiance forthwith to pˀpare himselfe for the said Service & to make his personall appearance before us at our Com̃on Hall upon further Summons there to receive such orders & direcc͠on for his speedy repaire to such Service as he shall be assigned unto, and for better execuc͠on hereof his MajtiesDeputy leiftennants Sherr̃s Mayors Bayliffs & Constables & others whom it may concerne are to be aiding & assisting unto you. Given under our Comon Seale this 17thday of January in the first yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Ladie King William & Queene Mary 1689.217
Whereasby certeine Letters pattents of our Late Sovereigne Lord King Charles the first dated the ffifteenth day of August in the first yeare of his reigne As alsoe by order of our Sovereigne Lord the King in Councill beareing date the twenty eight day of December lastWeethe Masters or Governorsof the Mistery & Coiãlty of Barbers & Chirurgions of London are Authorized and required forthwith to cause to be impressed or taken up for their Majtiesservice in Ireland ffortey Chirurgeons Mates & to returne their Names to the Councill Board that care may be taken for their subsistance, In pursuance of the said Authorities & in discharge of the trust in us reposed Wee doe hereby require & com̃and you Peter Smith & Jonas Wills being our officers joyntley & severally to imprest for their MajtiesService fortey Able Chirurgeons Mates delivering every person by you imprest one shilling impresse money chargeing him upon his Allegiance forthwith to pˀpare himselfe for the said Service & to make his personall appearance before us at our Com̃on Hall upon further Summons there to receive such orders & direcc͠on for his speedy repaire to such Service as he shall be assigned unto, and for better execuc͠on hereof his MajtiesDeputy leiftennants Sherr̃s Mayors Bayliffs & Constables & others whom it may concerne are to be aiding & assisting unto you. Given under our Comon Seale this 17thday of January in the first yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Ladie King William & Queene Mary 1689.217
2nd July, 1690. It was ordered that any of the Assistants or Livery being Surgeons and not appearing at the Public Anatomy were to forfeit 3s.4d.each.
12th December, 1690. Whereas there hath been an abuse offered to Mrffenton Bynns by DoctrGoodall for giveing internall medicines in a case of Surgery, Ordered that if the College of Phisitians doe arrest MrBynns that he shall bee defended at the cost of the Company for the fact now menc͠oned in Court.20 July, 1693. Considering some late ill practises in this Company relating to Anatomy & to prevent the same for the future it is ordered by this Court that noe pˀson what soever (except the Reader, Masters & Stewards of Anatomy for the time being) shall use a knife &c. to disect any humaine body at any time hereafter brought to this Hall for an Anatomy upon the forfiture of xlsfor every fact soe com̃itted.
12th December, 1690. Whereas there hath been an abuse offered to Mrffenton Bynns by DoctrGoodall for giveing internall medicines in a case of Surgery, Ordered that if the College of Phisitians doe arrest MrBynns that he shall bee defended at the cost of the Company for the fact now menc͠oned in Court.
20 July, 1693. Considering some late ill practises in this Company relating to Anatomy & to prevent the same for the future it is ordered by this Court that noe pˀson what soever (except the Reader, Masters & Stewards of Anatomy for the time being) shall use a knife &c. to disect any humaine body at any time hereafter brought to this Hall for an Anatomy upon the forfiture of xlsfor every fact soe com̃itted.
The Court would seem to have had the power of nominating the Surgeons and Surgeons’ Mates to the ships of the Royal Navy. There are hundreds of instances in the books of these appointments, but the following will suffice asexamples:—
11th August, 1693. Ordered that MrJohn Bamber bee warranted Chirurgeon of the Waymouth at Portsmouth.Ordered that Larkham bee continued on board the Bristoll.Ordered that MrHarding have the first fowerth rate that shall bee ordered out.13th February, 1694. Ordered that MrNicholson bee continued Chirurgeon of the Oxford & that the Captaine bee acquainted with the same.27th February, 1694. John Jenkin this day relinquished all title & clame to the StPaull ffire shipp, ordered that Richard Woolett bee warranted in his rome at the request of Captaine Mitchell.22nd June, 1698. Ordered that the whole body of the pˀson desected bee entirely buried some time tomorrow & that Cave the Beadle take care & see it done.20th July, 1698. MrWoodward pˀsented five Books of MrArris Surgery to the Company.
11th August, 1693. Ordered that MrJohn Bamber bee warranted Chirurgeon of the Waymouth at Portsmouth.
Ordered that Larkham bee continued on board the Bristoll.
Ordered that MrHarding have the first fowerth rate that shall bee ordered out.
13th February, 1694. Ordered that MrNicholson bee continued Chirurgeon of the Oxford & that the Captaine bee acquainted with the same.
27th February, 1694. John Jenkin this day relinquished all title & clame to the StPaull ffire shipp, ordered that Richard Woolett bee warranted in his rome at the request of Captaine Mitchell.
22nd June, 1698. Ordered that the whole body of the pˀson desected bee entirely buried some time tomorrow & that Cave the Beadle take care & see it done.
20th July, 1698. MrWoodward pˀsented five Books of MrArris Surgery to the Company.
There is no notice at the British Museum, of any Surgical book written by Edward Arris; these were probably some books which had belonged to him.
29th July, 1701. Dr. Tyson having made some proposals as to the regulation of the Library, a Committee was this day appointedand drew up a great many rules, which are set out in the minutes with much prolixity.
3rd December, 1709. It was ordered that no Examiner in Surgery should in future accept any gratuity from, or be treated or entertained in any manner by, any Sea Surgeon or Surgeon’s Mate, either before or after examination, under the penalty of being removed from his offices of Examiner and Assistant.
1st June, 1710. The Archbishop ofCanterbury218having licensed several persons to practise as Surgeons without due examination, the following memorial was ordered to be sent to his Grace.
ToThe most Reverend ffather in God Thomas by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.Thehumble petition of the Masters or GovernorsAssistants Livery & ffreemen of the Mystery & Comonalty of Barbers & Surgeons of London.Sheweth:Thatseverall Surgeons unlearned & unskilfull in that Art have set up & practised within Seven miles of the City of London under Colour of a Licence from yorGrace & without the examination & approbation of such Surgeons as the Law hath appointed for that purpose ffor which reason wee beg leave to lay before yorGrace the following representation, vizt.:Thatthe Company of Barbers & Surgeons were incorporated by the Charter of King Edward the Second wchwas confirmed by the Charter of Edward the fourth with this Addic͠onal Clause That the Governorsof the Company should examine approve & authorise all such as should practise in that ffaculty.219Thatthe said Charter of Edward 4thnot having provided by sufficient penaltys against that great & growing mischeife which sprung from the unskillfullness of severalvain pretenders in this art, It was provided by the Statute of the 3 H. 8, cap. 11 That no person within London or seven miles of it should exercise Surgery except they were first examined approved & admitted by the Bishop of London or Dean of Paul’s calling to him four expert persons in that faculty under forfeiture of five pounds pˀ month And out of the City & precints seven miles, unless exaĩed & approved by the Bishop of the Diocess or his Vicar Generall in like mañer, upon which Statute yorpetitioners beg leave to observe That it was wholly introductive of a new law & creates a power in the Bishop that was before vested in the Company by the Charter, so doth it take care to confine that power meerly to the Diocesan under the limitation of a regular examination in his presence by four persons that had already passed their examinations.TheBishop of each Diocess being therefore by their Law invested with a Temporall power perfectly forreign to their Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction & Spirituall care We do humbly hope yorGrace will not exercise this authority which was never by this law placed in the Metropolitane but was only to be exercised by the Diocesan under a regular Examination by persons admitted into our Company. And yorGrace will find this the more reasonable upon Consideration of this Act for the law makes it a part of the Ecclesiasticall concernment upon a supposition that severall persons pretending to Surgery had practised Sorcery & Witchcraft which yorGrace will pardon us if we beg leave to say was an artificiall notion set up by the popish Clergy in those times to draw within their own Verge the Inspection & approbation of all such persons as attended the beds of dying men.Buthowever that law was obtained, our Company which consisted of all such persons as exercised Surgery within London or seven miles being afterwards incorporated by the Statute of 32 H. 8, C. 42, no man could practise within London or seven Miles Compass of the City without an examination by four of the faculty thus incorporated & without being solemnly admitted into the Company.Andaccordingly the Bishop of London has from time to time been pleased to do us that Justice that we humbly presume yorGrace will not deny us, viztnot to license any person within his Diocess who hath not first obtained a Testimoniall under the Seale of our Company certifying the examination of such person & his skill & ability for the exercise of that art.Butif this restraint of yorGraces Licences were not to be asked as a matter of Justice We should not doubt to obtain it as a favour, when yorGrace considers how this maner of entring into the faculty opens a way to the Ignorant & unskillfull to the great prejudice both of the Company & of the publick, for yorGrace cannot be so much at leisure from yorpastorall care to enquire into the abilitys of such as pretend to signtheir Testimonialls nor is any person that comes in by this method subject to the regulation of our Company’s By-Laws which are all signed under the hands of the two Cheife Justices & the present Lord Chancellour & contrived with the greatest exactness to regulate the practise of this art, besides that every person admitted is obliged to give bond to the Company that he will diligently attend such cures as he shall be called unto & that he will never wilfully administer any hurtfull medecine, And in all cases of danger call in one of our ten Examiners to his assistance who are always ready to afford their assistance when asked.Lastlywe think we may add that the Companys services of the publick may reasonably deserve some consideration from all lovers of the publick for that ten of the principall persons of the faculty meet once a week at their Hall to examine & approve all Surgeons & Surgeons Mates that are in her Majesties Service which amount to five hundred in a year & to inspect all Sea Surgeons Chests of medicines & instruments & to peruse the Journalls of their practice & to view all Sea officers who are wounded in fight & this without the least reward nor are any admitted into the Sea Service without their Testimoniall & approbation to the very great preservation of the Seamen And tis presumed that a Regulation that has been found so necessary at Sea will appear at Land to be equally beneficiall.Whereforeyorpetitioners humbly begg that yorGrace will not for the future be pleased to give Lycences to any persons to practise Surgery within London or seven miles compass thereof untill such persons skill & ability for the exercise of that art appears by a Testimoniall under our Companys Seale to have been tried & approved of by the ten Examiners of our Company appointed for that purpose.
ToThe most Reverend ffather in God Thomas by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thehumble petition of the Masters or GovernorsAssistants Livery & ffreemen of the Mystery & Comonalty of Barbers & Surgeons of London.
Sheweth:
Thatseverall Surgeons unlearned & unskilfull in that Art have set up & practised within Seven miles of the City of London under Colour of a Licence from yorGrace & without the examination & approbation of such Surgeons as the Law hath appointed for that purpose ffor which reason wee beg leave to lay before yorGrace the following representation, vizt.:
Thatthe Company of Barbers & Surgeons were incorporated by the Charter of King Edward the Second wchwas confirmed by the Charter of Edward the fourth with this Addic͠onal Clause That the Governorsof the Company should examine approve & authorise all such as should practise in that ffaculty.219
Thatthe said Charter of Edward 4thnot having provided by sufficient penaltys against that great & growing mischeife which sprung from the unskillfullness of severalvain pretenders in this art, It was provided by the Statute of the 3 H. 8, cap. 11 That no person within London or seven miles of it should exercise Surgery except they were first examined approved & admitted by the Bishop of London or Dean of Paul’s calling to him four expert persons in that faculty under forfeiture of five pounds pˀ month And out of the City & precints seven miles, unless exaĩed & approved by the Bishop of the Diocess or his Vicar Generall in like mañer, upon which Statute yorpetitioners beg leave to observe That it was wholly introductive of a new law & creates a power in the Bishop that was before vested in the Company by the Charter, so doth it take care to confine that power meerly to the Diocesan under the limitation of a regular examination in his presence by four persons that had already passed their examinations.
TheBishop of each Diocess being therefore by their Law invested with a Temporall power perfectly forreign to their Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction & Spirituall care We do humbly hope yorGrace will not exercise this authority which was never by this law placed in the Metropolitane but was only to be exercised by the Diocesan under a regular Examination by persons admitted into our Company. And yorGrace will find this the more reasonable upon Consideration of this Act for the law makes it a part of the Ecclesiasticall concernment upon a supposition that severall persons pretending to Surgery had practised Sorcery & Witchcraft which yorGrace will pardon us if we beg leave to say was an artificiall notion set up by the popish Clergy in those times to draw within their own Verge the Inspection & approbation of all such persons as attended the beds of dying men.
Buthowever that law was obtained, our Company which consisted of all such persons as exercised Surgery within London or seven miles being afterwards incorporated by the Statute of 32 H. 8, C. 42, no man could practise within London or seven Miles Compass of the City without an examination by four of the faculty thus incorporated & without being solemnly admitted into the Company.
Andaccordingly the Bishop of London has from time to time been pleased to do us that Justice that we humbly presume yorGrace will not deny us, viztnot to license any person within his Diocess who hath not first obtained a Testimoniall under the Seale of our Company certifying the examination of such person & his skill & ability for the exercise of that art.
Butif this restraint of yorGraces Licences were not to be asked as a matter of Justice We should not doubt to obtain it as a favour, when yorGrace considers how this maner of entring into the faculty opens a way to the Ignorant & unskillfull to the great prejudice both of the Company & of the publick, for yorGrace cannot be so much at leisure from yorpastorall care to enquire into the abilitys of such as pretend to signtheir Testimonialls nor is any person that comes in by this method subject to the regulation of our Company’s By-Laws which are all signed under the hands of the two Cheife Justices & the present Lord Chancellour & contrived with the greatest exactness to regulate the practise of this art, besides that every person admitted is obliged to give bond to the Company that he will diligently attend such cures as he shall be called unto & that he will never wilfully administer any hurtfull medecine, And in all cases of danger call in one of our ten Examiners to his assistance who are always ready to afford their assistance when asked.
Lastlywe think we may add that the Companys services of the publick may reasonably deserve some consideration from all lovers of the publick for that ten of the principall persons of the faculty meet once a week at their Hall to examine & approve all Surgeons & Surgeons Mates that are in her Majesties Service which amount to five hundred in a year & to inspect all Sea Surgeons Chests of medicines & instruments & to peruse the Journalls of their practice & to view all Sea officers who are wounded in fight & this without the least reward nor are any admitted into the Sea Service without their Testimoniall & approbation to the very great preservation of the Seamen And tis presumed that a Regulation that has been found so necessary at Sea will appear at Land to be equally beneficiall.
Whereforeyorpetitioners humbly begg that yorGrace will not for the future be pleased to give Lycences to any persons to practise Surgery within London or seven miles compass thereof untill such persons skill & ability for the exercise of that art appears by a Testimoniall under our Companys Seale to have been tried & approved of by the ten Examiners of our Company appointed for that purpose.
There is no note of any reply to this letter having been received from the Archbishop.
6th February, 1711. The Court petitioned the Queen that they might have the Examination and certifying of all Army Surgeons (who were then examined by the Surgeon-General) in the same way that they examined and passed the Navy Surgeons.
20th February, 1711. Letters similar in effect to the one addressed to the Archbishop on 1st June, 1710, though slightly differing to meet some altered circumstances not necessary to be hereset forth in full, were ordered to be sent to the Bishops of London, Winchester and Rochester, and to the Dean of St. Paul’s.
6th March, 1711. It is ordered that William Cave one of the Beadles of this Company do make Inquiry who the persons were that carryed away the last body from Tyburne & that such persons be Indicted for the same.
6th March, 1711. It is ordered that William Cave one of the Beadles of this Company do make Inquiry who the persons were that carryed away the last body from Tyburne & that such persons be Indicted for the same.
16th August, 1711. Mr. Daniell Turner intending to become a “Collegiate Physician” applied for his discharge from the Freedom and Livery of the Company, which was granted to him for £50, and that sum he at once paid down.
9th October, 1711. Richard Russell one of the persons who stands Indicted for carrying away the last publick body applying himself to this Court & offering to be evidence against the rest of the persons concerned It it ordered that the Clerk do apply himself to Her Majesty’s Attorney Generall for a Noli pˀsequi as to the said Russell in order to make him an evidence upon the sdIndictment & particularly agstone Samuell Waters whom the Court did likewise order to be indicted for the said fact.
9th October, 1711. Richard Russell one of the persons who stands Indicted for carrying away the last publick body applying himself to this Court & offering to be evidence against the rest of the persons concerned It it ordered that the Clerk do apply himself to Her Majesty’s Attorney Generall for a Noli pˀsequi as to the said Russell in order to make him an evidence upon the sdIndictment & particularly agstone Samuell Waters whom the Court did likewise order to be indicted for the said fact.
It was no uncommon circumstance for candidates under examination to be rejected, the reason being often rather tersely given,e.g.:
13th February, 1712. WmOgilby Rejected & said very Saucily it should be the last time.AlexrKeith Rejected because an Apothecary’s boy.Edward Brown Rejected because a Barber.James Erwin ffor a Mate and rejected for Sauciness to MrBlundell & the Court.
13th February, 1712. WmOgilby Rejected & said very Saucily it should be the last time.
AlexrKeith Rejected because an Apothecary’s boy.
Edward Brown Rejected because a Barber.
James Erwin ffor a Mate and rejected for Sauciness to MrBlundell & the Court.
1st April, 1712. Two Barbers were ordered to be prosecuted for practising Surgery contrary to the By-Laws.
6th May, 1712. Ordered that MrWatts be summoned to appear before the Governorsatt the next Court to answer a Complaint agthim for practiceing Surgery & Instructing Barbers for 2 Guineas a peice.Ordered that MrSmall be likewise summoned to appeare before the Governorsatt the next Court to answer a Complaint agthim for amputateing a Breast without calling an examiner to be present.
6th May, 1712. Ordered that MrWatts be summoned to appear before the Governorsatt the next Court to answer a Complaint agthim for practiceing Surgery & Instructing Barbers for 2 Guineas a peice.
Ordered that MrSmall be likewise summoned to appeare before the Governorsatt the next Court to answer a Complaint agthim for amputateing a Breast without calling an examiner to be present.
27th May, 1712. John Wooding having been convicted at the Old Bailey for taking away the body of John Addison from the place of execution, the Court prayed the Lord Chief Justice to allow the sentence upon him to be inserted in the Gazette, and afterwards to consent in the Company’s name to the remission of his fine and imprisonment.
19th June, 1712. Mr. Bartlett, a truss maker, having been summoned for practising Surgery, he was ordered “to take from his sign board that he cures Ruptures.”
7th May, 1713. The Court having complained to the Bishop of London of the inconvenience arising from his licensing persons to practise Surgery, and the Bishop having informed the Company that he would not issue any more such licenses without a certificate of fitness from the Company, it was thereupon ordered that 5 guineas should be paid yearly to his Lordship’s Registrar as Caveat money.
28th May, 1713. Ordered that the Clark go to the Secretary at War for a Guard in order to gett the next Body [from Tyburn].13th August, 1713. Upon hearing a complaint ag̃st MrGodman & MrPinsent for prtending that one Vincents thigh was broke when it was not & then they had sett it contrary to truth & proficiency in Surgery & the Patient & other Witnesses being examined & proving yefact ag̃st him, the Court fined MrGodman five pounds for his unskillfull & wilfull practice & to be sued upon the by law or his bond as shall be thought most convenient.19th November, 1714. Att this Court John Spurling a Barber at Highgate was ordered to be prosecuted upon the Company’s Charter for practising Surgery upon John Holmes Barber.
28th May, 1713. Ordered that the Clark go to the Secretary at War for a Guard in order to gett the next Body [from Tyburn].
13th August, 1713. Upon hearing a complaint ag̃st MrGodman & MrPinsent for prtending that one Vincents thigh was broke when it was not & then they had sett it contrary to truth & proficiency in Surgery & the Patient & other Witnesses being examined & proving yefact ag̃st him, the Court fined MrGodman five pounds for his unskillfull & wilfull practice & to be sued upon the by law or his bond as shall be thought most convenient.
19th November, 1714. Att this Court John Spurling a Barber at Highgate was ordered to be prosecuted upon the Company’s Charter for practising Surgery upon John Holmes Barber.
21st April, 1715. The Court being informed that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty proposed to place the viewing of Sea Surgeons’ chests with Dr. Oliver and Mr. Rider, Physician andSurgeon of Greenwich Hospital, to the exclusion of the Company’s rights and contrary to the Charter of Charles I; it was ordered that a memorial should be presented to the first Lord against such a proposal.
4th June, 1715. The Lords of the Admiralty having requested the Court to undertake, with Dr. Oliver, the examination of such Warrant Officers in the Navy as should apply for superannuation pensions on the ground of age, wounds or infirmities, the Court directed the Clerk to reply stating that the Company would perform that office, and hold Courts for the purpose, on the first Friday in each month. Pursuant to the above, Courts were held and certificates granted from time to time.
5th June, 1716. It is ordered That Nathaniel Charles be prosecuted He owning that he had lett blood severall times for one shilling and six pence, As allso his Master Joseph Roe. Twas observed that MrRoe could not write his name haveing set his mark only to the Indenture.3rd July, 1716. Ordered that the Clerk do permitt Mr.Beckett220to Inspect the Company’s Registers of ffremen and apprentices and The Table of Governors Names to enable him to publish his book now in hand relateing to the lives and writings of eminent Surgeons.6th July, 1716. Att this Court MrLangley who lives in Shoreditch being suspected to be a Quack Doctor was exaĩed touching his skill in Surgery but not being able to answer a question was rejected.1st July, 1720. Ordered That the Porter in Southwark and a Bone setter in Cheapside be prosecuted for Bone seting.5th August, 1720. James King the Surgeon who deposited £7 13s.0d.in order to be exaĩed againe as a fforreigne Brother was now Examined againe but not being fittly qualifyed he was rejected and ordered his money back And ordered to be prosecuted in case he shall ever practice Surgery for the future.
5th June, 1716. It is ordered That Nathaniel Charles be prosecuted He owning that he had lett blood severall times for one shilling and six pence, As allso his Master Joseph Roe. Twas observed that MrRoe could not write his name haveing set his mark only to the Indenture.
3rd July, 1716. Ordered that the Clerk do permitt Mr.Beckett220to Inspect the Company’s Registers of ffremen and apprentices and The Table of Governors Names to enable him to publish his book now in hand relateing to the lives and writings of eminent Surgeons.
6th July, 1716. Att this Court MrLangley who lives in Shoreditch being suspected to be a Quack Doctor was exaĩed touching his skill in Surgery but not being able to answer a question was rejected.
1st July, 1720. Ordered That the Porter in Southwark and a Bone setter in Cheapside be prosecuted for Bone seting.
5th August, 1720. James King the Surgeon who deposited £7 13s.0d.in order to be exaĩed againe as a fforreigne Brother was now Examined againe but not being fittly qualifyed he was rejected and ordered his money back And ordered to be prosecuted in case he shall ever practice Surgery for the future.
23rd June, 1721. The Master represented to the Court that “great trouble and inconveniency” had arisen in consequence of such Surgeons as had of late offered themselves for examination not having presented the Governors and Examiners “with Gloves of such sort and goodness as had been customarily and antiently given to the Governors and Examiners upon such examinac͠on and by buying the gloves of tradesemen who were not proper dealers in such sort of goods.” Whereupon it was ordered that in future every Candidate before Examination should deposit with the Clerk as much money as would be sufficient to pay each of the Governors and Examiners who should be present six shillings, for them to lay out in the purchase of such gloves as they should see fit. On the 10th December, 1725, the glove money was raised from 6s.to 10s.6d.
The real secret of the above order, no doubt was, that there were such a great number of surgeons coming up for examination from time to time, that the Governors and Examiners got less money and more gloves than they wanted.
26th April, 1723. It is ordered that MrJohn Douglass Surgeon and a fforeigne brother of this Company shall be admitted into the freedom and Livery of this Company and be discharged and acquitted from holding or paying any fine for his freedom or Livery, or for all or any offices to the Parlour door as a Compliment to him for introducing the new method of Cutting for the Stone and to express the sense this Court hath of the usefullness therof.4th September, 1724. William Turner Barber who was sumoned at the last Court for letting blood appeared at this Court and owning his practiceing Surgery and insisting on his right and sufficiency so to do This Court doth order that the Clark do sue the said Turner for letting blood and practiceing Surgery contrary to the Statute of 32. Hen: 8: Cap. 42.2nd October, 1724. At this Court Thomas Cooke was examined for a fforreigne Brother But being found insufficient he was rejected. Note he lives in Duck Lane Publishes Bills as a Quack pretending to the cure of the Venereall disease, but he beingexamined touching the cure of that distemper in particular and being found to know little or nothing of it, the Court directed him to take down his Surgeon’s sign and not to practice for the future on pain of being sued upon the Act of Parliament and Company’s Charter.
26th April, 1723. It is ordered that MrJohn Douglass Surgeon and a fforeigne brother of this Company shall be admitted into the freedom and Livery of this Company and be discharged and acquitted from holding or paying any fine for his freedom or Livery, or for all or any offices to the Parlour door as a Compliment to him for introducing the new method of Cutting for the Stone and to express the sense this Court hath of the usefullness therof.
4th September, 1724. William Turner Barber who was sumoned at the last Court for letting blood appeared at this Court and owning his practiceing Surgery and insisting on his right and sufficiency so to do This Court doth order that the Clark do sue the said Turner for letting blood and practiceing Surgery contrary to the Statute of 32. Hen: 8: Cap. 42.
2nd October, 1724. At this Court Thomas Cooke was examined for a fforreigne Brother But being found insufficient he was rejected. Note he lives in Duck Lane Publishes Bills as a Quack pretending to the cure of the Venereall disease, but he beingexamined touching the cure of that distemper in particular and being found to know little or nothing of it, the Court directed him to take down his Surgeon’s sign and not to practice for the future on pain of being sued upon the Act of Parliament and Company’s Charter.
1725. The following seems somewhat inappropriately placed amongst the dinner accounts for this year.
TheCharges to be Paid by the Masters and Stewards of Anatomy for Procuring a Body besides the Dinner at ye Viscera Lecture.
TheCharges to be Paid by the Masters and Stewards of Anatomy for Procuring a Body besides the Dinner at ye Viscera Lecture.
s.d.Horsehire26For a Coach60For expenses in fetching the Body26To the Sheriff’s officers134To the Beadles assistant10For Washing the Body10For a Coffin50To Parson Ground Clark and Sexton510To the Bearers20Funeral expenses26For a certificate06The Clark’s fees100The 2 Beadle’s ffees100For a Link03To the Chairwoman50£375
14th October, 1726. At this Court Peter North Boatswain of His Majesty’s ship Cornwall was viewed for superannuation and pretended to be afflicted with deafness & the Gout. But the Court being of opinion that his deafness (if any) was occasiondby wax in his ear only, which might be cured by syringing, and not being satisfydthat he had the gout, The Court did not think fit but that he was capable of further service at Sea.At this Court one Chambers surgeon in Duck Lane was examined touching his Skill in Surgery in order to be made a fforeign brother, but appearing to be a stupid ffellow & a sort of a Quack who gave out Bills, and not being able to answer a question the Court rejected him.
14th October, 1726. At this Court Peter North Boatswain of His Majesty’s ship Cornwall was viewed for superannuation and pretended to be afflicted with deafness & the Gout. But the Court being of opinion that his deafness (if any) was occasiondby wax in his ear only, which might be cured by syringing, and not being satisfydthat he had the gout, The Court did not think fit but that he was capable of further service at Sea.
At this Court one Chambers surgeon in Duck Lane was examined touching his Skill in Surgery in order to be made a fforeign brother, but appearing to be a stupid ffellow & a sort of a Quack who gave out Bills, and not being able to answer a question the Court rejected him.
17th February, 1727. The Navy Board having, on the 16th inst., written to the Master and Wardens enclosing a copy of an anonymous letter which had been received, charging the Examiners in Surgery with partiality, and with qualifying incompetent persons as Navy Surgeons, the Court seem to have taken the matter up in a high spirited manner, and returned a long letter setting forth their practice in conducting the Examinations, referring in detail to the particular case alleged against them, and indeed made a most excellent and satisfactory defence. The correspondence is very lengthy and full of detail, much reference being made to the work carried on by the Company for the public service without fee or reward.
7th March, 1727. It is ordered That for yefuture when any apprentices are to be bound to Surgeons they shall be called in & be examined by themselves touching their skil in yeLatin tongue.7th April, 1727. James Ripoult a Frenchman was called in but not speaking English nor being naturalized the Court did not think it proper to examine him.5th October, 1727. John Jacob Sax being a Prussian by birth & not naturalized nor understanding English The Court did not think it proper to examine him.William Miles recomended by Lord Torrington & examined but seeming to know nothing of Surgery was rejected.
7th March, 1727. It is ordered That for yefuture when any apprentices are to be bound to Surgeons they shall be called in & be examined by themselves touching their skil in yeLatin tongue.
7th April, 1727. James Ripoult a Frenchman was called in but not speaking English nor being naturalized the Court did not think it proper to examine him.
5th October, 1727. John Jacob Sax being a Prussian by birth & not naturalized nor understanding English The Court did not think it proper to examine him.
William Miles recomended by Lord Torrington & examined but seeming to know nothing of Surgery was rejected.
16th January, 1729. A Petition was drawn up by the Court for presentation to the King, setting forth the Company’s right to four dead bodies of felons yearly to be obtained at Tyburn, and that of late divers riotous persons had wrested the bodies from the Company’s Beadles at the place of execution. The Court declared that these proceedings were greatly to the detriment of the study of Surgery, and also set forth the services which the Company rendered to the State, by examining Surgeons and their Mates for the Royal Navy, viewing their medicine chests and instruments, viewing all suchofficers as are wounded in fight at Sea and for superannuation, and theyconclude—
Your petitioners do therefore humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to permitt and direct That a ffyle or Two of yrMajesty’s ffoot Guards shall upon applicac͠on to the Commanding Officer attend the publick executions from time to time to guard and assist your Petic͠oners Beadles in the taking away so many dead bodys yearly as are granted unto your Petic͠oners by the said Act of Parliament or otherwise to releive your Petic͠oners in such manner as your Majesty in your Majesty’s most gracious wisdom and condescension shall think fitt.
Your petitioners do therefore humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to permitt and direct That a ffyle or Two of yrMajesty’s ffoot Guards shall upon applicac͠on to the Commanding Officer attend the publick executions from time to time to guard and assist your Petic͠oners Beadles in the taking away so many dead bodys yearly as are granted unto your Petic͠oners by the said Act of Parliament or otherwise to releive your Petic͠oners in such manner as your Majesty in your Majesty’s most gracious wisdom and condescension shall think fitt.
The Company seem also to have applied to the Court of Aldermen again for assistance in this matter, for, on the 7th March following, it was ordered that 2,000 copies of two orders of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, dated respectively 4th February and 4th March, should be printed, and copies fixed up at Newgate and other public places on the road to Tyburn, some time before any execution, and also that the said orders should be inserted in the London Gazette and other papers.
4th April, 1729. Peregrine Compton Rejected being fuddled & not answering a question.
4th April, 1729. Peregrine Compton Rejected being fuddled & not answering a question.
1st February, 1732. It was ordered that any extraordinary cases of Surgery appearing in the journals of the Sea Surgeons should be copied out into a book, as well as any others which might be reported to the Governors, and the same be laid before the Court of Examiners, from time to time, for their direction as to whether the same should be published. This book, if it ever existed, is not now in the Company’s possession.
15th August, 1734. It is ordered that from henceforward a Silver Medal not exceeding the value of a Guinea with a proper device upon each side of it to be made and presented at the end of the year to each of the Demonstrators now chosen and to the Demonstrators for the time being as an acknowledgment for their trouble in performing such Demonstrations.
15th August, 1734. It is ordered that from henceforward a Silver Medal not exceeding the value of a Guinea with a proper device upon each side of it to be made and presented at the end of the year to each of the Demonstrators now chosen and to the Demonstrators for the time being as an acknowledgment for their trouble in performing such Demonstrations.
These medals by a subsequent order, were to have a representation of Holbein’s picture on one side and of Inigo Jones’ Theatre on the other, but they do not appear to have ever been struck.
It was customary at the Demonstrations of Anatomy to provide specimens of parts of animals, presumably for comparison, as appears by some of the expenses incurred,e.g., in1732:—
To a sheeps hart & kidney006A sheeps hart and lights0042 Bullocks eyes004
and the following is the Beadle’s Bill at the dissection of a female malefactor in1735:—
For a board to lay her head upon004For a board to shew her liver upon010For two bullocks eyes004For four sheeps eyes004For a quarter of soap0011/2For hogs brissels001For a new spunge003For Borrowing a Hone to set the Instruments003For Sticking up the Bills026For nine days attendance at 2s6dprDay126£1781/2
4th February, 1735. Under this date is an entry of a long letter from the Commissioners of the Navy, complaining of the want of skill in a Surgeon, whereby great mortality had ensued on the shipNewcastle; the Court examined the Surgeon and his Journal and considered that there was nothing to find fault with as regarded his proficiency in Surgery, and that the sickness among the ship’s crew required skill in Physic rather than in Surgery, moreover they declared that the Physician at Greenwich examined the Navy Surgeons as totheir skill in Physic and not the Barber-Surgeons’ Company. The Clerk was directed to write to the Commissioners to this effect, and to state that the Company did not consider themselves answerable for any man’s want of skill in Physic.
A long letter dated 5th February was accordingly written and is set out in the Minute Book. The Surgeon complained of was Thomas Middleton, son of Mr. Henry Middleton (the oldest Member of the Court) and it appears that he had been fully examined and qualified.
29th September, 1735. The following order touching the vexed question of dead bodies was issued by theSheriffs:—
Londonto WittIn Pursuanceof an Act of Parliament made in the Thirty second year of King Henry the Eighth and of an order of Sessions bearing date the eighth day of July in the Fifteenth year of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the First Sir Maurice Abbott Mayor.Weedo order and command our Officers who are entrusted with or attend the execution of such Malefactors as shall be to dye at any time hereafter during our Sheriffalty to deliver to Henry Gretton and William Littlebury Beadles of the Company of Barbers and Surgeons of London or such other Officer or Officers as the Company shall appoint, One of the Bodys of the said Malefactors from time to time for a publick Dissection and to assist them with the said body to their Hall according to an Order of the Court of Aldermen of the Thirteenth of February1675221Sir William Hooker Mayor and to two other subsequent Orders of the Court of Aldermen one bearing date the fourth day of February the other the fourth day of March1728222Sir Robert Baylis Knight Lord Mayor.Given under our hands this 29thday of September 1735.JnoBarnardRotGodschall.1st June, 1736. It is ordered that the Constables of the Holborn Division shall be allowed Three Guineas and a halfe above the Guinea already paid them in regard to their expences at the last execution, when the Body was taken from the Beadles and retaken by the Constables and the Clerk is ordered to repay the same But the Clerk is not to pay the officers of the Compter the Two guineas usually received by them at every execution.24th September, 1741. John Thrift the Executioner this day attended on a complaint made against him by the Beadles for obstructing the Bodys being brought from Tyburne to the Hall for dissection and threatning to prevent the Company’s measures for obtaining the same, when after he had been reproved, was Dismissed, But the Court then agreed (in order to prevent his intended proceedings) to attend the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen that they may on complaint made be releived therein.18th December, 1741. Ordered that the High Constable of Holburne be allowed Ten shillings and sixpence as his ffee for every Body that shall be brought from Tyburne and delivered at this Company’s Hall and for his aiding and assisting the Company’s Beadles therein and not otherwise.
Londonto Witt
In Pursuanceof an Act of Parliament made in the Thirty second year of King Henry the Eighth and of an order of Sessions bearing date the eighth day of July in the Fifteenth year of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles the First Sir Maurice Abbott Mayor.Weedo order and command our Officers who are entrusted with or attend the execution of such Malefactors as shall be to dye at any time hereafter during our Sheriffalty to deliver to Henry Gretton and William Littlebury Beadles of the Company of Barbers and Surgeons of London or such other Officer or Officers as the Company shall appoint, One of the Bodys of the said Malefactors from time to time for a publick Dissection and to assist them with the said body to their Hall according to an Order of the Court of Aldermen of the Thirteenth of February1675221Sir William Hooker Mayor and to two other subsequent Orders of the Court of Aldermen one bearing date the fourth day of February the other the fourth day of March1728222Sir Robert Baylis Knight Lord Mayor.
Given under our hands this 29thday of September 1735.
JnoBarnardRotGodschall.
1st June, 1736. It is ordered that the Constables of the Holborn Division shall be allowed Three Guineas and a halfe above the Guinea already paid them in regard to their expences at the last execution, when the Body was taken from the Beadles and retaken by the Constables and the Clerk is ordered to repay the same But the Clerk is not to pay the officers of the Compter the Two guineas usually received by them at every execution.
24th September, 1741. John Thrift the Executioner this day attended on a complaint made against him by the Beadles for obstructing the Bodys being brought from Tyburne to the Hall for dissection and threatning to prevent the Company’s measures for obtaining the same, when after he had been reproved, was Dismissed, But the Court then agreed (in order to prevent his intended proceedings) to attend the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen that they may on complaint made be releived therein.
18th December, 1741. Ordered that the High Constable of Holburne be allowed Ten shillings and sixpence as his ffee for every Body that shall be brought from Tyburne and delivered at this Company’s Hall and for his aiding and assisting the Company’s Beadles therein and not otherwise.
10th February, 1742. The Court either forgetting or ignoring their order of 7th May, 1713, now ordered that Mr. William Skelton, a proctor in Doctors’ Commons, who had for many years past received five guineas annually as Caveat money (being Registrar of the Bishop of London) and “pretended to be allowed him by this Company on account of his Lordship’s Grant for the Prohibiting of Surgeons to practice within his Diocese be no longer entitled to such fee untill such time as this Court shall be better informed of the nature of his right of demanding the same.”
23rd November, 1740. Great consternation prevailed at the Hall in consequence of a malefactor who had been hung at Tyburn having revived when brought here for dissection. The account ofthis remarkable occurrence is recorded by the Clerk, Mr. Joseph Wheeler, on the last page of the rough Minute Book 1738–1742, and is very interesting. From the record of his trial at the Old Bailey (see Sessions Papers) Duell appears to have been an outrageous young scoundrel. A popular impression prevails, and frequent currency has been given to it, that Duell subsequently made a fortune abroad and out of gratitude to the Barber-Surgeons for saving his life, presented them with the handsome leather folding screen now in the Court Room, the best answer to which is, that the screen in question is referred to in the Company’s Inventory some thirty years previously to Mr. Duell’s visit to Tyburn.
Mr. Wheeler’s account is asfollows—
November the 23d.1740.This day Wm.Duell (who had been indicted at the Old Bayley for a Rape and had received sentence of Death for the same) was carryed to Tyburne in order to be executed where having hung some time was cutt down and brought to this Company’s Hall in order to be dissected where he had not been five minutes before Life appeared in him & being let blood and other means used for his recovery in less than two hours he sat upright drank some warm wine and lookˀd often round him and before he was carryed back to Newgate which was about Twelve o’the Clock at Night he severall times pronounced distinctly the wordDontwhen anybody touched him though was thought to be mostly insensible of anything but paine which in a great measure he endured by his most violent screamings & was often in strong convulsions in his bowells which he then exprest by applying his hands to those parts.The Sheriffs having ordered him back to Newgate he was carryed out in a blankett putt into a Coach & was seemingly much composed & quiet not making any manner of noise wherein 3 or 4 days time he recovered sufficient to converse & eat & drink very freely but never could give any reasonable account of what had passed. He afterwards obtained a reprieve in order to be transported for life which he was accordingly in the 16th year of his age. (Videhis Tryall in the Sessions paper of that time.)
November the 23d.1740.
This day Wm.Duell (who had been indicted at the Old Bayley for a Rape and had received sentence of Death for the same) was carryed to Tyburne in order to be executed where having hung some time was cutt down and brought to this Company’s Hall in order to be dissected where he had not been five minutes before Life appeared in him & being let blood and other means used for his recovery in less than two hours he sat upright drank some warm wine and lookˀd often round him and before he was carryed back to Newgate which was about Twelve o’the Clock at Night he severall times pronounced distinctly the wordDontwhen anybody touched him though was thought to be mostly insensible of anything but paine which in a great measure he endured by his most violent screamings & was often in strong convulsions in his bowells which he then exprest by applying his hands to those parts.
The Sheriffs having ordered him back to Newgate he was carryed out in a blankett putt into a Coach & was seemingly much composed & quiet not making any manner of noise wherein 3 or 4 days time he recovered sufficient to converse & eat & drink very freely but never could give any reasonable account of what had passed. He afterwards obtained a reprieve in order to be transported for life which he was accordingly in the 16th year of his age. (Videhis Tryall in the Sessions paper of that time.)
The Wardens’ accounts give the following particulars relative to thiscase:—
£s.d.Paid the Beadles their expences in bringing the last Body from Tyburne2190Paid the Officers of the Two Compters220Paid Joseph Wheeler the Company’s Clerk his Coach hire and expences in attending the Sheriffs when the Body came to life0100Paid the Chairwoman for her trouble and expences about the Body050
A somewhat similar account of the foregoing circumstance will be found in Maitland’s London (ed. 1756), Vol. I, p. 613, and also in the Gentleman’s Magazine, Vol. X, p. 570.
Thereare many references throughout the books to the Lectures and Demonstrations of Anatomy at our Hall, as well as indications that from the period of Incorporation (1462), if not earlier, the Company took care to provide for the professional education of its members and apprentices, and to increase their proficiency in Surgical science.
The initial letterTis reduced from one in the Audit Book, 1612–13.
In addition to the Examiners in Surgery (who though not necessarily members of the Court of Assistants were often consulted by the Masters or Governors) there were chosen “Masters and Stewards of the Anatomy,” generally two Masters and two Stewards,on whom devolved the duty of conducting the Demonstrations, and arranging for the Dinners which invariably followed. The exact duties of these officials are not at all times clearly defined, though elsewhere will be found allusions to, and orders concerning their offices and functions, but it may be generally taken that the Stewards dissected and prepared the body, the Masters reading the Lectures thereon to the assembled Surgeons and their apprentices.
These Demonstrations usually took place four times in the year, and were termed “Public Anatomies,” from the fact that the subject was generally a public body,i.e., a malefactor, and the attendance of the free Surgeons was compulsory on these occasions; besides these Public Anatomies, there were also an indefinite number of “Private Anatomies” held at the Hall, and at these the attendance was by invitation. It was illegal for any one to dissect a “humane bodye” within the limits of the Company’s jurisdiction without the permission of the Masters or Governors, and whenever a Surgeon was desirous to anatomatize some specially interesting subject, it was termed a “Private Anatomy,” and generally performed at the Hall by permission, the Surgeon inviting his own friends and pupils, and the Court inviting whom they chose. (See the curious entry as to a Private Anatomy, page321.)
Besides the Demonstrations of Anatomy, public and private, there were several other lectures delivered (oftentimes once a week) by members of the College of Physicians and members of the Company; two of these, which were trusts, the Arrisian Lecture and Gale’s Anatomy still survive I believe, at the Royal College of Surgeons; the others were provided by the Company out of their corporate funds.