Journal of the Plague Year

continued, by a Gentleman

That voluble and opinionated Phyſician, the Sawbones Maſter Pynche-Mydwyfe, was waxing moſt indignant yester-eve at the Bloater and Blueſtocking Coffee-houſe. Owing to the Crudity of his Diſcourſe much of his Meaning was loſt upon me, but it ſeemeth that Her Majeſty's Government is attempting to utiliſe the Peſtilence as a Means of reſtricting the Liberties and Privileges traditionally accorded to the Engliſh Yeoman and Craftſman, and ſpefifically as an Excuſe towards the Impoſition of a regulated Mode of Dreſs upon all Practitioners of the Aſclepian Art. The Indignation of Maſter Pynche-Mydwife was moſt eſpecially exerciſed upon that Statute which provides, that Surgeons ſhall refrain from wearing Aprons during the Proceſs of Amputation, in order that no Shortage of protective Clothing ſhould afflict the vital and related Induſtries of Barbering and Carpentry. Mr Pynche-Mydwyfe when wielding his Barber's Razor is proudly habituated to an amuſing Apron embroidered in the Likeneſs of a Whore's Undergarments, and maintained that he knew not why he ſhould not ſport the ſame Badge of Britiſhneſs when about his ſecondary Buſineſs of bodily Exciſion and Cautery.