Assistant Surgeon

[Kit]

Would it be possible to be an assistant surgeon by the age of 22 in the 1840's?

[Janet]

Here's one who became an Assistant Surgeon in 1805 at age 22, Toni:
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/GreatBritain/Detachments/c_Williams.html

[Kit]

Thanks Janet.

[Merry]

Was an assistant surgeon someone who held the patient down?!! :D

[Kit]

Quite possibly Merry. The man I want to be his brother was a veterinary surgeon.

[Olde Crone]

As surgeons were historically also barbers, I should think it perfectly possible!

*Shave sir? Cut yer leg orff, sir?*

OC

[Kit]

Wouldn't want them to make a mistake would you, OC?

[tenterfieldjulie]

Probably did a fair bit of blood letting I'd imagine ..

[Olde Crone]

Time to trot out my Claim-To-Fame, one James Holden who is famous (to me, at least) for having been on the operating table immediately before Nelson had his arm cut off - they were both on the same page of the surgeon's log. James recovered nicely (also had his arm off), jumped ship in Tenerife and was neveer heard of again by his grieving family!

OC