Harvey, William, 1578-1657; Physicians -- England -- Biography
The lecturer upon Anatomy, apart from the fact that he was a Doctor
of Physic was a person of considerable importance in the sixteenth
century. The greatest care was taken of him, as may be understood
from the directions which the Barber Surgeons gave to their Stewards
in Anatomy or those members of the Company who were appointed to
supervise the arrangements for the lectures. They were ordered "to see
and provide that there be every year a mat about the hearth in the
Hall that Mr. Doctor be made not to take cold upon his feet, nor other
gentlemen that do come and mark the Anatomy to learn knowledge. And
further that there be two fine white rods appointed for the Doctor to
touch the body where it shall please him; and a wax candle to look into
the body, and that there be always for the doctor two aprons to be from
the shoulder downwards and two pair of sleeves for his whole arm with
tapes, for change for the said Doctor, and not to occupy one Apron and
one pair of sleeves every day which is unseemly. And the Masters of the
Anatomy that be about the body to have like aprons and sleeves every
day both white and clean. That if the Masters of the Anatomy that be
about the Doctor do not see these things ordered and that their knives,
probes, and other instruments be fair and clean accordingly with Aprons
and sleeves, if they do lack any of the said things afore rehearsed he
shall forfeit for a fine to the Hall forty shillings."
The whole business of a public anatomy was conducted with much
ceremony, and every detail was regulated by precedent. The exact
routine in the Barber Surgeons' Company is laid down in another series
of directions. The clerk or secretary is instructed in his duties
in the following words: "So soon as the body is brought in deliver
out your tickets which must be first filled up as followeth four
sorts:--The first form, to the Surgeons who have served the office of
Master you must say: Be pleased to attend &c. with which summons you
send another for the Demonstrations: to those below the Chair [_i.e._,
who have not filled the office of Master of the Company] you say: Our
Masters desire your Company in your Gown and flat Cap &c. with the
like notice for the Demonstrations as you send to the ancient Master
Surgeons. To the Barbers, if ancient masters, you say: Be pleased to
attend in your Gown only, and if below the Chair, then: Our Masters
desire &c. as to the others above, but without the tickets for the
demonstrations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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