This photograph captures a surgery in progress at the Boston City Hospital operating theater in 1890. Notable features and historical context can be observed, shedding light on the medical practices of the time.
Firstly, it is evident that the surgeons in the photo sport facial hair and are not wearing masks and gloves, which were not commonly utilized during that period.
Secondly, the bag being held against the patient's mouth likely contains ether, a popular anesthetic during that era. Before ether gained popularity, nitrous oxide was widely used and readily available, especially during the Civil War.
The patient is lying face down, with a possible incision on the back of their leg, suggesting a knee operation or procedure related to the leg.
This photograph was taken only a couple of decades after Joseph Lister's pioneering efforts in antiseptic surgery. Lister's progressive ideas faced controversy during his time, with doctors warned in 1869 to disregard his advice on hand and equipment sterilization. One can only hope that the surgeons depicted here were adhering to more advanced and hygienic practices.
Additionally, although not visible in the photo, it is interesting to note that the operating room's ceiling is a glass dome. This architectural feature necessitated surgeries to be performed on sunny days, as artificial lighting was limited to candlelight during this period.
Paediatric surgeon at Children’s Hospital Boston Judah Folkman (1933-2008) published a hypothesis in the NEJM in 1971 that tumour growth is angiogenesis dependent and that inhibition of angiogenesis could be therapeutic, a paradigm shift in our understanding of cancer.
What a truly blessed week: Owen Wangensteen Scientific Forum Award; National Academy of Medicine election; and now reaching the pinnacle of American Surgery as ACS President-Elect! Thank you for this amazing honor! To quote my late father: “to God be the glory.” @umiamimedicine
People asked "What happened to Jon Stewart?" This happened. He evolved. I can't tell you how much I wish people who claim to be journalists would hold people in power accountable like this. This is must watch TV.
This is how the pediatric surgery team rounds at @ChildrensLA these days! Thinking of putting together a QoL study, “Junior Fellow Tows Senior Fellow: A Single Institution Experience” for #APSA23@APSASurgeons
Congratulations to @ChildrensLA for being awarded $3 million to study opioid use in hospitalized infants. 👏🏿👏🏼👏🏾
Principal Investigator and pediatric surgeon Lorraine Kelley-Quon, MD, will lead the study: https://t.co/6SMNUuGmw0
In case this wasn’t obvious to you all, the CDC’s new recommendation to shorten the quarantine period from 10 to 5 days is a business decision, not a public health decision.