Noah Goudreau

Thesis: All surgical techniques and tools before the 1940s were extremely inefficient, dangerous,
and inhumane.

The history of bloodletting. (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2017, from

http://www.bcmj.org/premise/history-bloodletting

This article comes from BC Medical Journal, a reliable resource that has been the

recipient of numerous J.H. Macdermot Writing Awards. Bloodletting is an ancient surgery

method which was widely believed to work and is still used in some parts of the world today. The

procedure to bloodletting is simple: cut somebody open and let them bleed. It was thought that

doing this would remove the “bad blood” that could be causing illness. As we know today, this is

completely ridiculous and would not in fact help at all. Despite this fact, it is still used to treat

hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder which can cause a buildup of iron in your organs.

Bloodletting is used to regulate ferritin levels, which can help treat the disorder to keep it under

control.

20 Scary Old School Surgical Tools. (n.d.). Retrieved December 07, 2017, from
http://www.surgicaltechnologists.net/blog/20-scary-old-school-surgical-tools/

Surgery used to be much less complicated than it is today. Nowadays we have laser-tools

for pinpoint precision and minimal damage to the body. Surgeons have years upon years of

experience before they operating, insuring that the patient will have the highest of chances to

survive the procedure. However, it wasn’t always such a safe protocol, and the tools weren’t

always so accurate and clean. Amputations were performed with serrated saw blades where
germs were abundant. Most amputations ended in death because of infection. Certain blades are

used to cut open the bladder to remove stones. Wooden gags were used on patients to keep the

airway open.

A. (n.d.). Eight Impressive but Terrifying Cases of Ancient Surgery. Retrieved December 08,

2017, from http://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-ancient-technology/eight-impressive-

terrifying-cases-ancient-surgery-002941

We did not have the extensive medical knowledge from decades of intense research that we

have today hundreds of years ago. This becomes painfully evident when you look at some of the

oldest techniques in the book used for different procedures. For example, many skulls in Peru have

been unearthed with huge holes drilled into the head. This is thought to be for treating things like

convulsions, concussions, or fractures. This information comes from a foundation dedicated to

researching and recording information on our ancient origins. It is a trustworthy source with great

credibility.

Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved December

08, 2017, from http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/surgery

In the 1800s, scientists began to have breakthroughs on the existence of germs. Surgeons

began to practice antisepsis, the procedure of killing bacteria. Despite this, many patients were

dying because of blood loss and infection. Surgery didn’t become safe until the invention of

penicillin and antibiotics, which greatly increased the success rate and greatly decreased the
infection rate. This information comes from the British Science Museum, which “Explores the

History of Medicine”. They have great credibility and have very reliable sources over a variety of

different medical topics.

Wan, W. (2017, October 31). Screams, torture and so much blood: The gruesome world of 19th-

century surgery. Retrieved December 08, 2017, from

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/10/31/screams-torture-and-so-

much-blood-the-gruesome-world-of-19th-century-surgery/?utm_term=.d36fd4c67228

This article details the awful details of what surgery was like in the 1800s without

anesthetic and without any type of cleanliness. Doctors often made patients pay up front because

the survival rates were so low. One section tells the story of Robert Liston, a surgeon who claimed

he could take off a leg in 30 seconds. During an operation, he was sawing so fast he cut off his

assistant’s fingers and cut open the coat of a spectator. The spectator “died of fright” and both the

patient and his assistant later died due to gangrene. This article comes from the Washington Post,

a news outlet with many outstanding accolades, and one that is highly revered by consumers.

Andrews, E. (2014, March 25). 7 Unusual Ancient Medical Techniques. Retrieved December 08,

2017, from http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/7-unusual-ancient-medical-techniques

The History Channel goes in depth on 7 vintage medical techniques that make us queasy

nowadays. One absolutely revolting procedure was making ointment out of animal feces and

applying it to injuries and diseases. The Egyptians used these and they “were all celebrated for
their healing properties and their ability to ward off bad spirits”. Many other ancient civilizations

specialized in using cannibalistic remedies to cure ailments. Romans believed that the blood of

fallen gladiator could cure epilepsy. Many also believed that pieces extracted from bodies had

magical properties, as it would withhold the soul of its owner. Consuming them would increase

your vitality and wellbeing. The History Channel does not have a reputation for being unreliable

and has credible sources for all of its information.

Rogers, K. (n.d.). 7 Scary Surgical Instruments, Then and Now. Retrieved December 08, 2017,

from https://www.britannica.com/list/7-scary-surgical-instruments

The Encyclopedia Britannica gives the rundown on tools used for surgery from many years

ago, and most are very frightening to observe. The speculum oculi was used to slip under the eye

and adjust its position. This was extremely painful and placed an insane amount of pressure on the

eye. It was deemed to be unnecessary when surgeons realized they could do the job just as well

with their fingers. The jugum was a metal band that was clamped and tightened around the penis.

It was used to treat incontinence, as it squeezed so hard that no urine could escape the urethra.

The idea of urethral compression is still around today and you can find it in a few different forms.

The female equivalent of this device is called the pessary. The Encyclopedia Britannica is a

trustworthy source that has had credibility for years and will have for years to come.

Fulton, A. (2017, October 13). 'The Butchering Art': How A 19th Century Physician Made

Surgery Safer. Retrieved December 08, 2017, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-

shots/2017/10/13/557367840/the-butchering-art-how-a-19th-century-physician-made-surgery-

safer
 Joseph Lister is a surgeon from the victorian era who is known for taking steps towards

antiseptic precautions during surgery. Lister started off by spraying his surgical instruments in an

antiseptic. He immediately noticed that fewer people died after surgery. Joseph was ahead of his

time, he understood the germ theory at a time when no one else could have even conjured the

thought. Many people wrote him off as being insane as he spoke of “invisible creatures that kill

patients”. As time would tell, he was right and his techniques help modernize the world of

antiseptic preparation for surgeries. He even had a mouthwash inspired by his techniques, which

you have most likely heard of: “Listerine”. This information comes from National Public Radio,

which does not broadcast fraudulent information.