The Butchering Art

Discover a transformative narrative in The Butchering Art, a captivating book by historian Lindsey Fitzharris that explores a pivotal moment in medical history. This insightful account chronicles how the visionary surgeon Joseph Lister revolutionized surgery during the Victorian era, turning it from a perilous ordeal into a safe procedure. As Fitzharris vividly depicts, Victorian operating theatres were infamously dubbed 'gateways of death,' where surgical patients faced harrowing odds, with mortality rates as high as 50%. Readers will engage with a world where broken bones could lead to amputations and cadaver grave-robbing was common practice. Lister's groundbreaking realization that germs were the root of infection—and his advocacy for antiseptics—set the stage for modern surgical practices. With meticulous research and a compelling writing style, Fitzharris paints a picture of the brutal realities of Victorian medicine, illustrating how Lister’s insights introduced sanitation into healthcare, thereby drastically reducing infection rates. This important narrative not only highlights Lister's contributions but offers a broader understanding of the evolution of medicine from barbarism to a disciplined profession. Enhance your collection with this must-read book, perfect for those interested in medical history, surgical advancements, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Enjoy FREE shipping on orders, although please note that combined shipping with other products is unavailable. Anticipate a delivery time of up to 10 days. Delve into the past and witness the birth of modern medicine today!

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780141983387
Format: B-format paperback
Year: 2018
Publisher: Penguin UK
Pages: 256


Description:
In The Butchering Art, historian Lindsey Fitzharris recreates a critical turning point in the history of medicine, when Joseph Lister transformed surgery from a brutal, harrowing practice to the safe, vaunted profession we know today.

Victorian operating theatres were known as 'gateways of death', Fitzharris reminds us, since half of those who underwent surgery didn't survive the experience. This was an era when a broken leg could lead to amputation, and surgeons were still known to ransack cemeteries to find cadavers. And in squalid, overcrowded hospitals, doctors remained baffled by the persistent infections that kept mortality rates stubbornly high.

At a time when surgery couldn't have been more dangerous, an unlikely figure stepped forward- Joseph Lister, a young Quaker surgeon. By making the audacious claim that germs were the source of all infection - and could be treated with antiseptics - he changed the history of medicine forever. With a novelist's eye for detail, Fitzharris brilliantly conjures up the grisly world of Victorian surgery, revealing how one of Britain's greatest medical minds finally brought centuries of savagery, sawing and gangrene to an end.

This product has FREE shipping however combined shipping for other products is not available with this item. Please allow up to 10 days for shipping.