Many people fear both doctor visits and surgery, often worrying about pain or waking up during the procedure. Despite the high expertise of medical professionals and the cleanliness of modern hospitals, Victorian-era surgery was bleak and unforgiving, marked by high mortality rates even with the introduction of anesthetics and germ theory.
There were no guarantees
Surgical patients in the past often faced fatal outcomes, with some succumbing to excessive bleeding or shock. Many also experienced infections in their wounds, leading to deadly fevers.
Lack of anesthesia
The absence of anesthesia compelled surgeons to perform rapid procedures. Amputations, for instance, could be completed in as little as 30 seconds.
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High mortality rates
During that period, a sterile operating room had a death rate of 1 in 10, while a contaminated one had a higher death rate of 1 in 4. Unfortunately, this correlation was not identified until later in that era.
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Barbers on duty
Barbers frequently undertook basic surgical procedures, particularly in wartime situations.
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Blood suckers
Leeches were commonly employed as a standard practice to extract blood before surgical procedures.
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The use of Ether
The initial surgical anesthetic, known as Ether, effectively induced unconsciousness in patients but had drawbacks such as causing vomiting and being highly flammable. This posed a challenge in operating rooms lit by candlelight.
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Limbs were not immediately discarded
Amputated limbs were often placed in sawdust to absorb blood during historical surgical practices.
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Home service for the rich
In the past, only the less affluent stayed in hospitals, while the wealthy preferred to hire a doctor for home visits instead.
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No ifs or buts
Limbs with fractures that broke through the skin often necessitated amputation in historical medical practices.
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Not much spacing for beds
Hospital beds were frequently arranged in close proximity, contributing to the unnecessary spread of diseases.
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Surgeons had pride
Numerous surgeons took pride in wearing their frock coats, which bore the enduring stains of blood.
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The case for internal surgery
Internal surgery was deemed impractical during that time as there was no medicine available to effectively combat infections.
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Society had priorities
During that era, surgery was not regarded as a part of medicine. Physicians held a prestigious status, while surgeons were often equated with butchers in societal standing.
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Cauterization was painful
In cases of profuse bleeding from a wound, the common practice involved cauterization using a hot iron or pouring boiling oil onto the affected area.
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Sanitary practices
Surgeons rarely washed their hands or instruments, leading to high infection rates.
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Chloroform as an anesthetic
The use of chloroform as an anesthetic began in the 1840s but was initially controversial.
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Blood less was usually fatal
There was no blood transfusion or typing; significant blood loss often meant death.
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Great way to learn
Surgical procedures were often performed in front of medical students and curious spectators.
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Thank you, Mr. Lister
The concept of “surgical cleanliness” was not introduced until the late 19th century by Joseph Lister.
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That’s really painful
Dental surgery was primitive and often done without anesthesia.
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C-section risks
The mortality rate for surgeries like cesarean sections was extremely high.
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Surgical tools needed work
Surgical instruments were basic and often not sterilized.
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Pain was real afterwards
There was no effective pain relief for post-operative pain.
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Poorly designed hospitals
Hospitals were often overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
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A breakthrough
The discovery of X-rays in 1895 was not immediately applied to surgery.
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The men took care of surgery
Women rarely practiced surgery; it was a male-dominated field.
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The screaming must have been awful
Patients were often restrained physically during operations due to the lack of effective anesthesia.
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Post-op infections
Post-operative infections like gangrene and sepsis were common.
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Maggots ate dead tissue
The use of maggots to clean wounds was practiced, as they eat only dead tissue.
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Limited knowledge
There was no understanding of blood groups or safe blood transfusion methods.
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Still happens today
The use of opium and alcohol was common for pain relief.
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Find a good mentor
Surgical training was often based on apprenticeship, not formal education.
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No permissions asked
The concept of patient consent for surgery was not a standard practice.
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Mr. Lister’s a genius
The development of antiseptic techniques by Joseph Lister in the late 1860s began to reduce the risk of infection.
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