Louis XI Observes Gallstone Surgery, 15th Century
Physician performing an operation before a large crowd which includes Louis XI of France. Louis XI (July 3, 1423 - August 30, 1483), called the Prudent, was a monarch of the House of Valois who ruled as King of France from 1461 to 1483. Interested in science, he once pardoned a man sentenced to death on condition that he serve as a guinea pig in a gallstone operation. In Europe in the 13th century a new type of craftsmen emerged in towns; the barber-surgeon. They cut hair, pulled teeth and performed simple operations such as amputations and setting broken bones and looking after soldiers during or after a battle. The barber surgeon was one of the most common medical practitioners of medieval Europe. In 1745 a bill was passed separating barbers from surgeons. When the barber-surgeons separated, the barber kept the pole as their identification. The pole consists of red and white, or red, white and blue stripes. Red for blood, white for bandages and blue for veins Undated painting by Antoine Rivoulon.
Size: 4200px × 3378px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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