Observations in defence of a Bill lately brought into Parliament, for erecting the Corporation of Surgeons of London into a College; and for granting and confirming to such College certain rights and privileges: including a sketch of the history of surgery in England / [Thomas Chevalier].

  • Thomas Chevalier
Date:
1797
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations in defence of a Bill lately brought into Parliament, for erecting the Corporation of Surgeons of London into a College; and for granting and confirming to such College certain rights and privileges: including a sketch of the history of surgery in England / [Thomas Chevalier]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    But to return from this digreflion.—Surgery was now rapidly improving in England. Anato¬ my was taught in feveral parts of the City of Lon¬ don by profeffors of confiderable ability. Several new hofpitals had been ere&ed, and in all of them the education of pupils was admitted. The good effe£ls of thefe charitable inftitutions were every where vifible, by the ftriking recoveries of pa¬ tients who were fent up to them from al] parts of the country, in cafes formerly confidered as al* molt certainly fatal. The public mind was there¬ fore difpofed to think favourably of an art, by the perfe&ion of which every one might look for relief, under a large and affli&ing portion of the fufferings common to humanity. Thefe circumftances, together with the rank the French Surgeons had obtained, could not but in- creafe the defire of thofe in London to break off their connexion with the Barbers, which was now become more irkfome and degrading than ever. The right to freedom of the city by birth* had introduced men of all employments into the com¬ pany—not only Barbers, but Bagnio-keepers, Drapers, Carpenters— “ Black Spirits and White, “ Blue Spirits and Grey.” Added * This right belonged to the children of the Barbers: But the Surgeons were admitted by examination only.
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