This rather picturesque contemporary of Sydenham, Seargent-Surgeon Wiseman, is included among pediatricians, not because of his work among children in general, but for his account of the "King's Evil."
He was doubtless a Londoner, born about 1622. Just where he was educated is uncertain, but there is a record of his apprenticeship in the records of the Barber-Surgeon's Company, about 1637:
"Of Richard Smith, Surgeon, for Richard Wiseman, ij.s. vj d."
He began his career as a naval surgeon in the Dutch navy, and later he was an army surgeon, serving under Charles I at the siege of Weymouth. When the Prince of Wales was made King, he went with him to Scotland. He was close to him on various occasions. He had an exciting career, leaving the army when the King's forces were defeated at Worcester, after which he went to London, obtained his freedom from the Company of