ABSTRACT
The following blueprint for a surgeon was given by Cornelius Celus whose eight volumes ‘On Medicine’ (De Medicina) were written about the year 30 ad in ancient Rome.
A surgeon must be youthful, or at any rate nearer youth than old age. He must have a strong, steady hand, which never trembles, and be no less ready to use the left hand than the right; his eyesight must be sharp and clear, his spirit undaunted. He must be compassionate, so that he wishes to cure the patient in his care, but not to the extent that he is moved by his cries either to go faster than is desirable or to cut less than is necessary; he must do everything just as if the cries of the patient cause him no emotion.
