THE BARBERS


In the statutes of 1333, even if barbers and doctors (speziali) are mentioned, they are considered merely as beard-cutters and spice sellers.

In the "new" statutes of 1433, instead, barbers and doctors became rivals. The doctor's task was to keep the instruments of his work clean and ready, to administer no medicines, to make no blood drawing if this method hadn't given positive results on other sick people. The barber was the only one who could apply leeches, incisions of purulent blisters and wound care.

A phlebotomy cost 7 imperial money, beard cutting cost 2 imperial coins - half price at the shop and 4 coins at the customers'home.