The Doctor In History, Literature, Folk Lore, Etc.

Contents.


BARBER-SURGEONS. By William Andrews, F.R.H.S. 1

TOUCHING FOR THE KING'S EVIL. By William Andrews, F.R.H.S. 8

VISITING PATIENTS 22

ASSAYING MEAT AND DRINK. By William Andrews, F.R.H.S. 24

THE GOLD-HEADED CANE. By Tom Robinson, M.D. 32

MAGIC AND MEDICINE. By Cuming Walters 42

CHAUCER'S DOCTOR OF PHYSIC. By W. H. Thompson 70

THE DOCTORS SHAKESPEARE KNEW. By A. H. Wall 76

DICKENS' DOCTORS. By Thomas Frost 90

FAMOUS LITERARY DOCTORS. By Cuming Walters 102

THE "DOCTOR" IN TIME OF PESTILENCE. By William E. A.
Axon, F.R.S.L. 125

MOUNTEBANKS AND MEDICINE. By Thomas Frost 140

THE STRANGE STORY OF THE FIGHT WITH THE SMALL-POX.
By Thomas Frost 153

BURKERS AND BODY-SNATCHERS. By Thomas Frost 167

REMINISCENCES OF THE CHOLERA. By Thomas Frost 181

SOME OLD DOCTORS. By Mrs. G. Linnæus Banks 192

THE LEE PENNY 209

HOW OUR FATHERS WERE PHYSICKED. By J. A. Langford, LL.D. 216

MEDICAL FOLK-LORE. By John Nicholson 234

OF PHYSICIANS AND THEIR FEES, with some Personal
Reminiscences. By Andrew James Symington, F.R.S.N.A. 252

INDEX 285




THE DOCTOR IN HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND FOLK-LORE.




Barber-Surgeons.

BY WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S.


The calling of the barber is of great antiquity. We find in the Book of
the Prophet Ezekiel (v. 1) allusions to the Jewish custom of the barber
shaving the head as a sign of mourning.

In the remote past the art of surgery and the trade of barber were
combined. It is clear that in all parts of the civilized world, in bygone
times, the barber acted as a kind of surgeon, or to state his position
more precisely, he practised phlebotomy.