“As long as the poor have illnesses and the rich have little ailments, I will make ends meet.” With this sentence Alessio described his work to a prospective travel companion. The 27-year-old barber-surgeon earned his money as a traveling healer in the south of France after the Thirty Years’ War.Calm, roguish, professionally reserved and maybe even a little bit stern at first glance- this is the impression he often left on people after exchanging the first few words. To those who were not undeterred by the cynical and captious attitude of his and took time for him, he showed a more pleasant facet of his personality. His work-related creativity was not only helpful for producing promising ointments but also for selling it with persuasive arguments and a pinch of finest gallow humor.

Shady business dealings were no reason for him to back off, as he was driven by his exceptional strong curiosity for medical questions and the wish to enhance his economic status as well.

He had a soft spot for confectionery, especially those with fruit filling.

That’s it. Finally I finished this long overdue piece featuring Alessio growing up. I already have a few several epics in different time periods but this one here taking place after the Thirty Years’ war may be the most detailed one. I was rather surprised when reading “The Physician” years ago. The protagonists life has some similarities to Alessio’s. (Okay, it is just the part with studying abroad but hey! It is something.)

Here you have this doctor in three different stages: as a barber surgeon, student and medic. :>

Done with SAI. Thanks for looking.