Why Chirurgean?
The Scottish spelling
“Our Sovereign Lord & Estates of Parliament vnderftanding that the Airt of Chirurgearie is ane ancient worthy & free Airt moft neceffar for the healths & Lyves of His Mãties subjects And that the incorporation of the Chirurgeans & Barbars of Ed^ are ane able & famous incorporation whereby the Leidges have found large experience of ther abilities in peace & warr to ther great advantage…….
They being as Nurferies in thefe Airts to this our Soveraign Lords ancient Kingdom & for preventing the dangerous practice of ignorant and vnfkillfull people that afsumes the practifes of thefe Airts to the Lofe of the Lyves of His Mãties good Subjects which have bein too frequent …….”
— Acta Parliamentorum Caroli II A.D. 1670
The English spelling
“But amongst us aboard in that Service, it was counted a great Shame to the Chirurgeon, if that Operation was left to be done the next Day, when Symptoms were upon the Patient, and he spent with Watchings, etc. Therefore you are to consider well the Member, and if you have no probable hope of Sanitation, cut it off quickly, while the Soldier is heated and in Mettle. But if there be Hopes of Cure, proceed rationally to a right and methodical Healing of such Wounds; it being more for your Credit to save one Member, than to cut off many.”
— Richard Wiseman in Eight Chirurgical Treatises. VI