Thomas Hérier, A Country Surgeon Outside Angoulême at the End of the XVIIIth Century: A Contribution to Social History

The account book & journal of a country surgeon named Thomas Herier, was used to increase the knowledge of French surgeons in the 18th century. Little is known about surgeons though they comprised 66% of the French medical population. When Herier received his diploma in 1777, three types of dipl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social history 1977-06, Vol.10 (4), p.524-537
Main Author: Lemay, Edna Hindie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Apprenticeships
Archives
Artisans
Attorneys
Bloodletting
Children
France
France/French
History of medicine
History, Modern 1601
History/Historic/Historical
Hérier
Journal/Journals
Ointments
Physician/Physicians
Rural (see also Ru/Ur)
Rural Health - history
Social history
Surgeons
Surgical specialties
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Summary:The account book & journal of a country surgeon named Thomas Herier, was used to increase the knowledge of French surgeons in the 18th century. Little is known about surgeons though they comprised 66% of the French medical population. When Herier received his diploma in 1777, three types of diplomas were available: the first cost 2,000 pounds, was granted after nine exams, & allowed the surgeon to practice in an Ur setting, the second involved two exams & allowed the candidate to work in a smaller city of his choice, & the third cost 70 pounds, limited the use of surgical procedures, & permitted practice in a small village. Herier had the last type & during his life saw 1,000 people in a village of 5,000. His patients were of humble origin; thus, during his 32 year career, he earned 8,415 francs (less than a franc per day), which did not allow him to support his family. After 17 years of practice, he listed himself as a farmer. Nothing is known about the kind of diseases he treated, but a record was kept of the medicines he prescribed. Many of his medicines were derived from flowers & fruits (lemons, peaches, camphor), & some minerals (mineral water & nitric salt). Bleeding, enemas, & emetics were popular. Because the family background of most surgeons was not humble, it is assumed that the profession was well considered & that is probably why he was elected a deputy of his village in 1789. 5 Appendices. M. Villanueva.
ISSN:0022-4529
1527-1897
DOI:10.1353/jsh/10.4.524