Medicine + Surgery: Advances in Surgery and Key Individuals

Operating in 1700:

• there were mainly two types of operation:
  • amputation
  • removal of gall stones
• carried out in operating theatres or the patients kitchen table
• the process:
  • applying a tourniquet
  • using a knife to cut flesh
  • using a second knife to cut muscles and tendons
  • using a saw to cut bone
• strength and speed were the main skills
• sawdust caught blood and vomit

Problems with surgery in C18th:

• Pain:
  • no anaesthetic
    • used laudanum or alcohol or a boxer, paid to knock out the patient
    • mostly nothing was used
      • men held down the patient
      • relied on surgeon's speed
• Infection:
  • surgeons apron blood stained
  • tools covered in blood and pus
    • shows experience
    • increases spread of germs
  • men held patient down
    • increased spread of germs
  • theatre open to the public
    • increased spread of germs
  • many patients died from infection rather than the operation
  • antiseptic needed for solution
• Blood Loss
  • surgeons usually used their thumb to apply pressure when amputating
  • did not know about blood groups nor volume of blood
  • patients often went into shock…