How Surgery Took Place in the 18th Century?

The knowledge of past surgical practices highlights the dramatic changes that have occurred in medicine since the discovery of anesthesia. Patients who underwent surgical procedures in ancient times suffered from the pain experienced during the procedures and the risk of severe infections. Today, we take anesthesia for granted, but in the past, the struggles faced by doctors and patients were filled with entirely different challenges.

In order to advance the development of surgery and medicine, new procedures and techniques were continuously created that significantly improved patients’ chances of survival. All these factors contributed to making surgeries less daunting than they were before.

The historical perspective carries valuable lessons, as it helps to understand how scientific and technological advancements have shaped the practice of healing. Understanding past experiences can be important not only for surgery but also for other fields of medicine.

The early challenges of surgery

In ancient surgical procedures, patients often faced the pain of the procedures and the risk of surgical infections. Doctors, such as Joseph Charriere, who wrote a 300-year-old manual, did not have the option of anesthesia, so enduring pain was the only option for patients. Before surgical interventions, patients had to grapple not only with physical pain but also with psychological burdens, as the outcomes of surgeries were extremely uncertain.

Surgery was often seasonally dependent, as different weather conditions had varying effects on recovery. The spring and autumn months were the most favorable for surgical interventions, while the winter cold was extremely disadvantageous. In cold weather, patients’ limbs would become numb, making surgical procedures more difficult.

During surgeries, surgeons had to act quickly. For example, the amputation procedure not only increased the patient’s pain but also reduced the chances of recovery. Surgeons often suggested that patients bite on a piece of wood to lessen the pain during the procedure. In this early stage of medical science, patients often only resorted to surgery as a last resort, in cases of severe pain or fatal diseases.

Amputation and pain management

One of the most brutal aspects of surgery was amputation, which was detailed in manuals written by early physicians. During amputation, surgeons had to act swiftly, as every movement needed to be precise to minimize pain and bleeding. For example, a leg amputation had to be performed with a curved knife, and the stump had to be covered with the remaining skin.

The methods of pain relief at that time were quite primitive. Injured patients were advised to bite on a piece of wood to distract themselves from the procedure. When treating wounds, doctors used various home remedies, such as wine or brandy, which were believed to help prevent infections. Later research showed that wine could indeed kill oral pathogens, but other, more complex treatments were necessary in cases of nerve damage.

Injuries to the tongue also posed serious problems, as cutting off the tip of the tongue led to the loss of speech ability. These guidelines and experiences reflect the reality that patients struggled even with the slightest pains and only opted for surgeries as a last resort.

The revolution of anesthesia

The dark age of surgery was fundamentally changed by the advent of anesthesia. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, attempts to reduce pain did not yield the desired results, while the introduction of general anesthesia represented a significant advancement. This new procedure allowed surgeons to perform interventions that had previously been unimaginable due to the unbearable pain.

After the widespread adoption of modern anesthesia, surgical procedures became safer, and the mortality rate among patients dramatically decreased. The introduction of Joseph Lister’s antiseptic methods further improved surgical outcomes by minimizing the risk of infections. The use of carbolic acid and the practice of sterilization fundamentally transformed surgery, allowing patients to approach future interventions with much less fear and risk.

These revolutionary changes permanently altered surgical practices, and the nightmares of the past were pushed into the background by scientific progress and technological innovations. Modern medicine now offers solutions in pain relief and infection prevention that open entirely new dimensions in healing.