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[From barber-surgeons' guild to medical association. A 400th anniversary]
1Seksjon for allmennmedisin, Institutt for samfunnsmedisinske fag, Universitetet i Bergen.
Insights
Norway
Area of Science:
- History of Medicine
- Medical Guilds
- Surgical History
Background:
- The barber-surgeons' guild in Bergen, established in 1597, served as Norway's sole medical association for approximately 250 years.
- This guild represented the primary medical practitioners, with education acquired through apprenticeships.
Observation:
- Barber-surgeons possessed practical, empirical knowledge often more relevant to daily life than formal academic medicine.
- The guild faced conflicts with other craftsmen and formally trained doctors throughout its existence.
Findings:
- Barber-surgeon education underwent significant improvements during the 18th century.
- Their training eventually achieved full academic status, reflecting evolving medical standards.
Implications:
- The evolution of the barber-surgeons highlights the historical development of medical practice and education in Norway.
- This transition underscores the shift from craft-based to academically recognized medical professions.
Abstract:
The barber-surgeons' guild in Bergen was founded on 17 January 1597. For nearly 250 years this was the only "medical association" in Norway. The guild disappeared with the death of its latest master, Christian Wilhelm Wisbech (1740-1822). However, only nine years later his son, Christian Wisbech (1801-69), founded the Medical Association in Bergen. The barber-surgeons were craftsmen who got their education by apprenticeship. They were the medical practitioners of their times. Their empirical knowledge was more in touch with real life than was the medicine taught by the professors. This paper describes the barber-surgeons' education and work, including their conflicts with other craftsmen and doctors. During the 18th century the barber-surgeons' education was improved, and eventually was given full academic status.