necessary Acts had theretofore been made and provided, and that within the City of London, Men of great Experience, as well in Speculation as in Practice of the Science and Faculty of Surgery, were abiding and inhabiting, and had more commonly the daily Exercise and Experience of the same Science of Surgery than was had and used within any Parts of the Realm; and by Occasion thereof, many expert Persons were brought up under them as their Servants, Apprentices and others, who by the Exercise and diligent Information of their Masters, might exercise the said Science within divers other Parts of the Realm; to the great Relief, Comfort and Succour of much People, and to the Safeguard of their bodily Health, Limbs and Lives; and reciting, That within the said City of London there were then two several and distinct Companies of Surgeons occupying and exercising the Science and Faculty of Surgery, the one Company being commonly called The Barbers of London, and the other Company called The Surgeons of London; and that the said Company of Barbers were incorporated to sue and be sued by the Name of Masters or Governors of the Mystery or Commonalty of the Barbers of London, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of King Edward the Fourth, dated the twenty-fourth Day of February in the first Year of his Reign, and which were confirmed by several subsequent Letters Patents in the said Act mentioned and referred to; and that the other Company, called The Surgeons, had not any Manner of Corporation; and that the said two several and distinct Companies of Surgeons were necessary to be united and made one Body Corporate, to the Intent that by their Union and often Assembly together, the good and due Order, Exercise and Knowledge in the said Science or Faculty of Surgery, should be, as well in Speculation as in Practice, both to themselves and their Servants and Apprentices, and by their Learning and diligent and ripe Informations, more perfect, speedy and effectual; it was therefore enacted, That the said two
