John Arderne

Sir John Arderne (1307 – 1392) was an English surgeon, and one of the first of his time to devise workable cures. He is considered one of the fathers of surgery, and many of his treatments are still in use today. Arderne's help was given to both the rich, and the poor. His view on fees was that rich men should be charged as much as possible, but poor men should be remedied free of charge. His remedies for illness are considered substantial for his time. In his document about Fistula in Ano, John of Arderne sets out not only his operative procedures but also his code of conduct for the ideal medical practitioner.

In his early life, he resided in Newark-on-Trent. (It is also believed he could have lived in Nottingham). He was in London by 1370 when he is thought to have been admitted as a member of the Guild of Surgeons. Near the end of his long lived life he achieved the title of Master Surgeon.

He developed several treatments for knights, most notably for an infliction called "Fistula In Ano," a condition where a large, painful lump appears between the base of the spine and the anus. He could successfully cut this lump out, and described how to do so in a historical document which still remains. In technical terms, The Fistula in Ano, without any regard to the strict definition of the word, is understood to be an Abscess, running upon, or into the Intestinum Rectum; though an abscess in this part, when once ruptured, does generally, if neglected, grow callous in its cavity and edges, and become at last, what is properly called a Fistula. (This developed due to long amounts of time sitting on a horse.) He also created an ointment for arrow wounds and clysters.

He died without a male heir.