What has experimental physiology done for the advancement of the practice of surgery? : an address delivered before the Surgical Society of Ireland, at the opening meeting, 23rd November, 1877 / by Robert McDonnell.

  • McDonnell, Robert, 1828-1889.
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: What has experimental physiology done for the advancement of the practice of surgery? : an address delivered before the Surgical Society of Ireland, at the opening meeting, 23rd November, 1877 / by Robert McDonnell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    new haemorrhage ensued, for stanching whereof they were forced to use other caustick and burning instruments. Neither did these good men know any other course ; so by this repetition there was great losse and wast made of the fleshy and nervous substance of the part. Through which occasion the bones were laid bare, whence many were out of hope of cicatrization, being forced for the remainder of their wretched life to carry about an ulcer upon that part which was dismembered ; which also took away the oppor- tunity of fitting or putting to of an artificiall leg or arm, instead of that which was taken off. Wherefore I must earnestly entreat all chirurgeons, that leaving this old, and too too cruell way of healing, they would embrace this new, which I think was taught me by the speciall favour of the sacred Deity.” In another chapter of his work Ambrose Pare, giving an account of a case in which he amputated the arm, says : “ Then presently I stanched the blood with an hot iron, for as yet I knew no other course.” Let us set side by side with this state of things an operation of our time. Let me give a case of an operation which occurred recently in Steevens’ Hospital, witnessed and watched afterwards by some persons present. Although occurring in my own practice, I merely cite the case, as it illustrates what happens in the hands of every hospital surgeon au courant with the improvements of the day. A patient has a tumour about the size and somewhat the form of a large lemon, in front of the right wrist joint. An anaes- thetic is administered until she is profoundly insensible. Esmarch's bandage is applied. During the operation, the ulnar and median nerves, which are closely adherent to the tumour on each side, are dissected off. There is not one drop of blood to obscure the steps of the proceeding. After the Esmarch’s bandage is removed, some vessels are secured by torsion ; the wound, having been sponged with a solution of chloride of zinc, is closed by carbolised