Cautor

A cautor (Latin: cautor, meaning "cutter", "carver", or "cauterizer") was a member of a specific class of surgeon-physicians in the late Roman Empire and early medieval periods, primarily associated with veterinary medicine. Their role encompassed a range of practical procedures including, but not limited to, the castration of animals, treating wounds, removing tumors, and applying cautery for various ailments. While some cautores were independent practitioners, others were employed within larger estates or military establishments to maintain the health of livestock and war animals. The skills of a cautor were typically hands-on and less focused on theoretical knowledge compared to physicians who primarily treated humans. Historical records suggest that the profession was often passed down through families or learned through apprenticeship.