why was it barbers that conducted surgeries and dentistry in like 18-19th century? is it just myth? was it actually part of their profession to have some medical knowledge? or is it just because they were the only ones in the village that had tools that weren't completely useless for that purpose and were known to have a steady hand? or were they actually professional surgeons but small town didn't need them that bad that they could've made their living with it so they needed to have some side business?
That was in the Middle Ages, and it wasn't all barbers, just some of them knew how to do simple surgery.
>>1044923
but why barbers? why not local butcher or priest or teacher?
>>1044933
Sharp knives and knowing how to use them with precision I assume.
>>1044933
barbers and butchers sound like they'd all have good fine motor skills,while not all priests or teachers would. also wouldn't faint from a bit of blood.
>>1044910
People needed haircuts more than surgery, and they were the guys with steady hands.
>>1044972
>while not all priests or teachers would
they'd still be the most learned men around and would have at least basic knowledge of anatomy and wouldn't try something stupid like covering the wound with poo or make the patient eat something poisonous
>>1044910
Bump
>>1044910
Professional surgeons with a university education were around.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schola_Medica_Salernitana
They actually did some pretty cool stuff.
>>1044910
>or is it just because they were the only ones in the village that had tools that weren't completely useless for that purpose and were known to have a steady hand?
because of this
>>1045082
it would be the priests covering the wound in shit. just look up some of their treatments
>>1044923
>in the middle ages
Yes, but it happened right past that too, there were barber-surgeons in the 17th and 18th centuries too
>>1044910
> was it actually part of their profession to have some medical knowledge?
They had practial knowledge. You don't need to know about Hippocrates 4 humors or modern cell theory to set bones, stitch up wounds or conduct surgery.
>why was it barbers that conducted surgeries and dentistry
They owned bath houses which was the place people went for pretty much all things that concerned the body.
>or were they actually professional surgeons
Real Surgeons didn't exist and even doctors with degrees didn't actually touch patients, they only had theoretical knowledge.