A 17th century ‘barber surgeon’ is visiting the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon later this month (Saturday, January 21). 

Running from 11am until 3pm with free entry, the event offers locals the opportunity to find out how their ailments would have been treated 350 years ago. 

The Hunts Post: Oliver Cromwell's Apothecary cabinet will be on display at the event on January 21.Oliver Cromwell's Apothecary cabinet will be on display at the event on January 21. (Image: Cromwell Museum)

At the time of the Civil Wars in the 1640s, many people would have been treated by a barber surgeon, who carried out dentistry, bloodletting and even major surgery at a time when the medical profession was very much in its infancy. 

Curator of the Cromwell Museum, Stuart Orme, said: “We have on display the Apothecary cabinet that is believed to have belonged to Oliver Cromwell and used to treat his various ailments. 

The Hunts Post: The event on January 21 offers locals the opportunity to find out how their ailments would have been treated 350 years ago.The event on January 21 offers locals the opportunity to find out how their ailments would have been treated 350 years ago. (Image: Cromwell Museum)

“This event will provide a fun, if occasionally gruesome, way of finding out about medicine in this period!” 

For more details, visit the museum’s website at www.cromwellmuseum.com or call 01480 708008 during opening hours.