If you listened to the last BB&Guns, you probably heard me spaz out at Nancy's retractor story.
She has ever-so-helpfully provided us with a photo of said item. I think I speak for most amputees when I say I'm so glad I live in the era of modern medicine.
You probably speak for all people, not just most amputees. After all, I don't have to worry about my [future] kids getting polio, y'know? And yes, those retractors made my spine crawl. AGGGGHHH.
ReplyDeleteWhat Lissa said.
ReplyDeleteJim
AND it was likely done with no anesthesia. No antibiotics either.
ReplyDeleteALL that medical advancement was done without socialized medicine.
Lets look at the medical advances from countries with socialized medicine...
(crickets)
Uh huh.
Yep when doing the whole gun control debate I often mention that the ONLY reason why you're safer in modern day Boston/Chicago/Philidephia/LA ect ect is because of the modern medicine. There are SHITLOADS more gunfights going on in the cities of the future than ever happened in Dodge or Yuma et al. But the doctors can put you back together better, and you won't get killed by the bugs living in the water and air.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, Alan has a good point, likley we'll be pining for old Dodge with its wooden sidewalks and horses soon enough.
And I'll bet they still do something very similar in amputations today, only in a slightly more palatable way.
ReplyDeleteWatching surgery is like watching a mechanic work on a car, just different!
I was cringing during that part of the show as well.
ReplyDeleteBrrrr...
I missed the show - and haven't hit the podcast yet - so I had no idea what I was looking at.
ReplyDeleteI tried to figure it out for a few minutes before I read the description, having forgotten what they were called.
Then I read on. Then I found out that I can get chills that surpass my spine and end up in my toenails.
*shivers*
tweaker
Alan is right. No anesthesia. A fast, competent surgeon was your friend. And laudable pus. But you probably don't want me going there.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm... Laudable Pus!
ReplyDeleteAnesthesia? That's what the bottle of whiskey was for.
ReplyDeleteA shot for the patient and two for the surgeon...
ReplyDeleteAlcohol just makes you bleed faster, so that's not a good option.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't seen what a musket ball does to bone, go here:
http://excelsatnothing.blogspot.com/2010/02/bone.html
Used to know a guy who was an Army medic who played in the SCA. He showed up one day with a picture of a set of late medieval/early Renaissance surgical instruments and asked "Can you make me a set?"
ReplyDeleteI did. Before he picked them up I had them on display at Medieval Fair, and every time people asked what they were, they were fascinated. Until I came to the flesh hooks. And the bone drill.