The Barber Surgeon Aboard a Pirate Ship: 16th-17th Century Maritime Medicine in a Nutshell

Come join us in the Whitewater Room as our Barber Surgeon explores the vital role of barber surgeons on pirate ships during the 16th and 17th centuries. The presentation will begin by defining barber surgeons as practitioners trained through apprenticeships who performed tasks like bloodletting, minor surgeries, and dental work, rooted in medieval and Renaissance European traditions influenced by figures like Galen.

The presentation compares maritime medicine of the era to modern practices, highlighting advances such as sterilization, anesthetics, and formal medical training. It emphasizes how early maritime medical practices laid foundational principles for current standards, illustrating the importance of innovation in ensuring sailor health and safety at sea.

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