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I thought it was the barber that used to be the surgeon. Perhaps the butcher would have been a better bet back in those days.

It was the barber

Sweeny Todd?

Thats why the barbers pole is red and white - Blood and Bone.
Boring yet true,

Ed Bennett
Southwest Medical Ltd

sorry about the blacksmith bit you are of course right.

1400s—A series of royal decrees in France prohibit lay barbers from practicing all surgical procedures except bleeding, cupping, leeching, and extracting teeth.

Meanwhile, the fully qualified ones could have a go at anything? Better not let Hassan (my local barber) get wind of that!

Only on this Forum could the topic drift from 1/4" hex bits to barber surgeons!

Yeah, it's a bit like that unfathomable game on the radio, "Mornington Crescent"! But surely you remember James Burke's excellent television series called "Connections", John?

Can't say I do Geoff, I had just arrived in London late '77 and there were so many things to do!
TV was certainly NOT one of my major pursuits in those heady days.

Pity, John. It was a brilliant piece of work. If you get a chance to get hold of it (on DVD, or whatever), don't hesitate. There was a book, too, but of course it could not adequately convey JB's unique style of presentation. Clever stuff!

On the topic of TV (yes, not much do with tools, I guess), I don't bother with it at all these days! Just don't have the time to waste with it. I prefer the web, where you can pick and choose what you want to look at, any time of day or night.