The title character was a barber surgeon played by comedian Steve Martin, a frequent host of the show.

He was the son of a tailor, and he obtained his first medical knowledge in the shop of a barber surgeon.

In previous times, barbers (known as barber surgeons) also performed surgery and dentistry.

The barber surgeons of the time provided services that included tooth extractions.

It'll be hard enough to get started as it is, competing against the local barber surgeons.

Given that, plus a little from here and there, he could make a living and drive the barber surgeons into the ocean within five years.

On one side of the road is a barber surgeon whose sign advertises Shaving, bleeding, and teeth drawn with a touch.

He is an exceeding proper youth, and would have made a most neat barber surgeon, if he had been put to it in time.

Eventually he gave up writing, and set himself up as a barber surgeon.

Sneshell was one of only two known female barber surgeons who practised during this period.