Osmanlı’da Esnaf Tabipler ve Cerrahlar

Purpose: This study aims to examine the role of guild physicians and surgeons within the healthcare system during the Ottoman era, as well as their educational methods, organizational structures, professional practices, and oversight mechanisms from a medical history perspective.Materials and Methods: The study utilized resources from the Ottoman Archive of the Republic of Türkiye Presidential State Archives (BOA), period-specific printed materials, legal codes, and authored scholarly works. Sources written in Ottoman Turkish were transcribed into Latin script. The research employed a survey method as its model and utilized document analysis as a qualitative research approach.Results: The analyzed documents yielded information related to artisan medicine and surgery, including legal code provisions, duties and responsibilities, professional training and practices, as well as sanctions against those who performed their profession poorly, all presented in chronological order. These findings were discussed in light of archival documents.Conclusion: In conclusion, until the 19th century, medicine and surgery in the Ottoman were regarded as crafts practiced by guilds. It can be stated that the "etibba class", which, took its place in Ottoman history of medicine as a reflection of the foundational principles and values of medicine that have endured to the present day, within the context of their professional practices as a guild.