Surgery Source Flashcards
What shows development in surgery in the source?
Observation- John Hunter believed in careful observation during surgery.
What do the skeletons in the background represent?
John Hunter collected and observed 4000 specimens. Could also suggest that surgery still had a very high death rate.
What is ironic about the board of qualified surgeons?
Company of Surgeons founded in 1745 yet names sound like things barber surgeons would do- purge, sawbone etc.
What shows problems of surgery that still existed in the 18th century?
Infection- tools on the floor, lack of aseptic techniques, normal clothes- not surgical gowns.
Pain- man tied to a chair and held in place because of a lack of anaesthetics. They had opium but didn’t understand dosage.
Bleeding- still using bloodletting tools which would worsen problem of bleeding.
Why is the author who regularly published in magazines significant?
People were clearly interested in what he had to say. Suggests the audience is richer British people who could afford magazines. He also knew John Hunter so might show his successes.
Why is it significant that it was published in 1793?
Dissections were happening by then but there was clearly still belief in the 4 humours. Company of Surgeons had been around for nearly 50 years so surgery hasn’t advanced that much in that time.
What is the purpose of the source?
To show the many limitations of surgery but to suggest that John Hunter was making progress in advancing surgery.
What is the source useful for?
To suggest the limitations of surgery such as belief in thousands of years old ideas but also showing some progress being made at the time.
