Barber Surgeon Visit
We were delighted to be able to host John Putley in his guise as a Medieval barber surgeon, speaking to Year 10 as a part of the medicine through time aspect of their GCSE history course. John waxed lyrical about the Medieval beliefs regarding medicine including the importance of urine testing and the power of the planets to determine diseases and their cures. He brought with him an array of contemporary and replica instruments used by barber surgeons from the Medieval period including tuzzy muzzys (a posy of flowers), fleens (a blade used for blood letting) and trepanning drills (to make a hole in the skull to relieve pressure and to release demons!). John’s knowledge of the period is exceptional and he delivered the sessions to all of the Year 10 GCSE history pupils in full barber surgeon dress whilst illustrating the correct usage of the various instruments. His explanation of how amputations used to take place is really quite a sight to behold!
I would like to thank John for his exceptional sessions and the Year 10s for their enthusiasm and interesting questioning during the sessions. We hope to see John back in school next year delivering the sessions to the current Year 9 cohort.
Andy Mainwaring
Head of History