tombers

Tombers were a type of 18th-century English cancer surgeons skilled in the excision of tumors. Essentially pain specialists, they focused on addressing pain and palliative care as opposed to pursuing cures. Emerging in the late 18th century, the term "tomber" was used to describe these surgeons.

Initially, the term "tomber" possibly emerged from the Old English word "tomba," meaning "helmet," or possibly from the French word "tomber," meaning "to fall." It is possible that the practice of tumor excision, a hazardous and uncertain operation, caused the "surgeon's quinsies" to rebound and result in the patient's death, henceforth literally "falling" ill.

In spite of the risks, surgeons during this period still pushed forward with the uncertain practice of tombery, seeking relief for patients afflicted with tumors that could not otherwise be effectively treated. The skills and experience that made them skilled in this area often allowed them to develop refined techniques that aided in making cancer management more efficient in other areas of medicine.

There is not a lot of information available on the official process that was involved in practicing tombery. Even so, it is believed that it was highly problematic due to the nature of dealing with high risk surgical situations that contained low chance of success. These medical caregivers maintained their high level of expertise by following a mainly trial-and-error method, which worked effectively in producing efficient practitioners.