Observations in defence of a Bill lately brought into Parliament, for erecting the Corporation of Surgeons of London into a College, and for granting and confirming to such College certain rights and privileges : including a sketch of the history of surgery in England / by Thomas Chevalier.

  • Chevalier, Thomas, 1767-1824.
Date:
1797
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations in defence of a Bill lately brought into Parliament, for erecting the Corporation of Surgeons of London into a College, and for granting and confirming to such College certain rights and privileges : including a sketch of the history of surgery in England / by Thomas Chevalier. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    I But in order to do this with the greater advan- tage, and to fhow the propriety of our enjoying the honour that has been folicited, it will be proper to enter a little into the Hiftory of the Company, and briefly to confider what Surgery is, and what pro- grefs it has made. This is the more needful, be- caufe a noble and very learned Lord, whofe great talents and able fervices have rendered him de- fervcdly high in the public efteem, has not thought it beneath him to treat the profeffion at large with the moll pointed farcafm and contempt. I hope it will appear that his Lordfhip was miftaken on this occafion, and that his ridicule was both undeferved and mifapplicd. The former connection of the -Surgeons Com- pany with the Barbers, has afforded many perfons a plentiful fubject for derifion. I fhall therefore firfl endeavour to trace out the origin of that connection. ( I f every thing is to be defpifed which was fmall or obfcure in its beginning, perhaps we fhall not find much in human affairs to command our refpect. Arts and Arms, Lcgifiation and Commerce, have all emerged from rude and imperfect efforts; and every branch of Science has at fome period been polluted with weaknefs. inconfiftency, and folly.