Under the Knife: A History of Surgery in 28 Remarkable Operations by Arnold van de LaarMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Surprising that in a book detailing the “History of Surgery”, there is no historical background about tracheostomy – just incidents at the end of life of two American Presidents. It is fascinating that Hippocrates method of treating fistula-in-ano is still prevalent. The evolution of surgical tools from stones, bronze, then iron succeeded by steel scalpels to the electric Bovie, the gamma-knife and finally laser ablation is surely a reflection of human ingenuity. However, the frightening and incomprehensible practice of blood-letting as the standard treatment for all ills is viewed by today’s doctors aghast at the sanguineous ritual, much as our descendants will probably view our present day surgical techniques as primitive (COVID-19 and other novel pandemic-causing viruses permitting!!). A book that may be of vicarious interest to laypersons, this has nothing really new for doctors.
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