NORCALCHAT-L Archives

From: "Roland Elliott" <>
Subject: Fw: Hans KIERSTEDE, Surgeon
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1999 10:30:51 -0800

-----Original Message-----
From>
Date: Saturday, January 09, 1999 10 11
Subject: Re: Hans KIERSTEDE, Surgeon

Frank,

At times turf wars erupted between ships surgeons, such as
Vanderbeek, and native practitioners, which resulted in a decision of the
Council of New Amsterdam that "ship barbers shall not be allowed to dress
any wounds or administer any potions on shore without the previous
knowledge and special consent of the petitioners, or at least Dr. Montagne".

Something to make you even more thankful.
An excerpt from 'The History of the Late Province
of New-York...' by the Hon. William Smith, pub. 1829
Published from earlier manuscripts, not sure from when.
"Few physicians amongst us are eminent for their skill.
Quacks abound like locusts in Egypt, and too many have
recommended themselves to a full practice and profitable
subsistance. This is the less to be wondered at, as the
profession is under no kind of regulation. Loud as the call
is, to our shame be it remembered, we have no law to protect
the lives of the king's subjects from the malpractice of
pretenders. Any man at his pleasure sets up for physician,
apothecary, and chirurgeon. No candidates are either
examined or licensed, or even sworn to fair practice.*
* The necessity of regulating the practice of physic, and
a plan for that purpose, were strongly recommended by the
author of the Independent Reflector, in 1753, when the
city of New York alone boasted the honour of having above
forty gentlemen of that faculty."

This thread:

• Fw: Hans KIERSTEDE, Surgeon by "Roland Elliott" <>