A note on the economics of medical practice in eighteenth century Malta

Abstract

This paper deals with this facet of the practice of medicine in Malta in so far as the financial aspects of the care and treatment of opulent and highly placed members of the Order of St. John during part of the eighteenth century were concerned. The three manuscripts surveyed in this paper throw light on the relations of practitioners with their wealthy and aristocratic patients. They also give an insight into the social scene of eighteenth century Malta as it affected the financial side of medical practice and provide us with the names of the "successful" medical men and pharmacists of the time who had reached the front line of their profession from 1750 to 1798. A chronological list of physicians, surgeons, pharmacists and medical auxiliaries who attended sick knights during this period is provided.