For surgery, practical training under a skilled surgeon and plenty of practice were probably the essentials, but more was possible. To give an idea of what was available in surgical education and training in the 1820s, this is an extract from the obituary of a Welsh surgeon (Merthyr Times 15 Aug 1895):
"Mr. John Llewellyn, J.P. M.R.C.S (England) and L.S.A. (1830), certificated factory surgeon, medical officer of health, medical officer and vaccinator for Llanishen district of Cardiff Union, Bedwas district of Newport Union, and Caerphilly district of Pontypridd Union, was born in the year 1808, and was therefore, at the time of his death 87 years of age. He received his earlier education at Cowbridge. On March 19th, 1824 he was apprenticed to the late celebrated Druid, &c., Dr. William Price, at Nantgarw. Upon leaving Dr. Price, he proceeded to London, and entered St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, where he underwent the necessary hospital training and studied under such distinguished surgeons as Dr. John P. Vincent, Sir William Lawrence, Bart., and Dr. Henry Earle. He studied botany and materia medica under Dr. Francis Boott, and midwifery under the renowned Dr. Hopkins, a Welshman. In May, 1829, he entered the then celebrated Surrey Dispensary and studied there for nine months. Determined to make the best use of his time, and to become proficient in his profession, he went over the same year to Paris, and attended a course of lectures there. He was present during the revolution. From an old document we find he was admitted a member of the College of Surgeons in 1828, during the time that the great Dr. Headington was president. Leaving London he returned to Wales, and opened a practice in Caerphilly, where his professional skill and learning were soon greatly appreciated, and before very long had worked up one of the finest practices in South Wales."
Drosybont
