The notion of going to the doctor is detested by numerous people, with the possibility of having to undergo surgery being even more dreaded. Even when we are at our most vulnerable, we tend to express common fears such as "What if I wake up while I'm under?" or "What if it hurts?" Despite their extensive training, medical professionals are still unable to dispel these apprehensions. Hospitals are usually very hygienic places, or at least, cleaner than they have ever been.
In contrast to modern times, the Victorian era did not benefit from the advancements in surgery. Despite being introduced to anesthetics and germs, surgery was a brutal and merciless practice that claimed the lives of many patients.
During surgery, patients faced multiple life-threatening complications. Bleeding out and shock were common causes of death, as were infections that led to fatal fevers.
Surgeons had to work quickly due to the absence of anesthesia, resulting in amputation procedures that could be completed in as little as half a minute.
An operating room that was kept clean had a 1 in 10 death rate, whereas a dirty one had a death rate of 1 in 4. It wasn't until later in the period that the connection between cleanliness and mortality was established.
During times of war, barbers were frequently responsible for performing simple surgical procedures.
The employment of leeches to extract blood before surgery was a prevalent method.
The primary surgical anesthesia used in the past was Ether, which effectively induced unconsciousness but had a downside of causing vomiting and being highly inflammable. This made it difficult to use since surgical rooms were lit by candles.
Sawdust was used to absorb the blood from the amputated limbs.
Hospitals were primarily for the less affluent, while those with means would hire a doctor to provide care in their own residence.
Any limb that suffered a fracture so severe that it broke through the skin had to be removed.
The close proximity of beds in hospitals led to the unnecessary transmission of illnesses.
Many surgeons took pride in wearing their frock coats, still coated with blood.
The absence of effective medication to combat infections made it impossible to consider any form of internal surgery.
Surgery was not considered a form of medical treatment. Physicians were regarded as high class members of society. Surgeons were viewed on the same level as butchers.
If surgery had been required at that time, I would have chosen to suffer through the pain and not admit to having a broken limb. Can you even fathom having a leg amputated for such an injury?