James Cooke

James Cooke (credit: University of Leicester Fairclough Collection)

Image from James Cooke’s book on surgery

James Cooke was a surgeon on the side of parliament in the English Civil Wars. After the Civil Wars, Cooke published a book in which he described some of the soldiers he had treated.

Cooke had read the books written by Ambroise Paré. His recommendations for treating gunshot wounds included mixing turpentine with egg yolks and rose oil, just like Paré. Cooke also encouraged other surgeons to read Paré’s books.