Medieval Surgery

• John Arderne


  • became famous for amazing success rate of surgeries in 14th century
  • worked as a surgeon on the battlefield, where he dealt with major wounds and developed his own pain killing ointment, which stopped need for cauterisation
  • this helped him develop speedy amputation methods, which he published in 'The Practice of Surgery' 1350
  • advocated for good beside manner and care, and to trust own judgement and experience, not old works like Galen/Hippocrates
  • charged rich but often let poor go free
• How was war beneficial?

  • led to advances in surgery and the treatment of wounds
  • cauterisation was incredibly dangerous, painful and often fatal
  • led to some surgeons using wine as an antiseptic to clean wounds and others to develop pain relieving ointments
  • opium was used as a painkiller