College that took surgery out of the barber shops - Irish Architectural News

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College that took surgery out of the barber shops

Archiseek / Ireland / News / 2001 / September 16 2001: College that took surgery out of the barber shops

Back in the 18th century when operating theatres came with tiers of seats for observers, there was a shortage of surgeons in war-infatuated Europe. At the time, medical practitioners practised blood letting, laid on leeches and proscribed highly poisonous substances such as mercury as cures for illness. Dublin responded to Europe's shortage by setting up its own college for surgical training behind the existing Mercer hospital. The Royal College of Surgeons received its charter from George III and opened its doors in 1784.

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