John of Ardern

John of Ardern in manuscript MS Hunter 112

John of Ardern (1307-1392) was English medieval doctor and surgeon. He is considered as one of originators of modern surgery. His different treatments are used evan today. 

John made treatment of rich and poor and he advised that rich be charged as much as possible and tratment of poor to be for free. For operations he advised that pation be put to sleep by using opium, so that patient "sleep so that can not feel any cutting". He devised doctor codex of behaving.

He studied medicine on medical faculty of University of Montpellier in France. It was the most famous medical faculty in Middle Ages in Europe. Before that the most famous was the medical faculty of Salerno, in Italy, but it brokedown in some 14th century and medical faculty of Montpellier became his succesor. 

John lived in Newark on Trent, Nottingham, and after that in London. He did service in Hundred Years War against France.

He wrote book Fistula in ano (as the other books). In this book he wrote about healing of fistula u rectum that form in knights after long sitting on horseback.

There is one interesting manuscript De arte Phisicali et de Cirurgica (Art of doctors and surgeons) from 1412. which  contains his treatments and systems of curing. In this manuscript, which is one scroll, there are few images of human anatomy which are very realistic.

Anatomy in manuscript. Who are not queasy can look by clicking on it. On purpose it is showed as display from left and right sides.