Barber-Surgeons in Military Surgery and Occupational Health in Finland, 1324-1944.

Barber-surgeons have existed as a medical profession in multiple countries for centuries. This article outlines the exciting history of the barber-surgeons in Finland, focusing on a time frame covering over 600 years, from the Middle Ages until the last barber-surgeon in Finland finished his practice during the Second World War. The barber-surgeons were the first healthcare professionals who focused on the healthcare of soldiers during times of both peace and war. They were able to treat wounds, conduct minor and even major surgeries and perform amputations. The development of the profession and the education and skills of the barber-surgeons are summed up and illuminated. New genealogical sources are also reviewed to profile the barber-surgeons as men, married and of multinational origin. This review summarizes the history of the profession, who the barber-surgeons in Finland were and where they came from. It concludes by noting that the barber-surgeons had a remarkable impact on the development of the professions of surgeons and physicians as well as on the development of occupational healthcare as a whole. However, these impacts are not sufficiently appreciated today.