Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #OldOpTheatre
Most recents (5)
[1/4] These #toolsofthetrade are vital for patching-up patients during surgical procedures! The phials contain ligatures which were used to tie blood vessels following operations such as amputation. Tying blood vessels prevents the patient from bleeding to death! #oldoptheatre 
[2/4] The ligatures are made from horsehair and silkworm gut, materials noted for their tensile strength. Other materials recommended by surgeons included catgut and kangaroo tendon! (Catgut, by the way, is made from the intestines of cattle, sheep or goats – not cats!) #histmed
[3/4] Before antisepsis and asepsis ligatures were a source of infection. Horsehair sutures became more popular with surgeons because they appeared to present a lower risk of infection. The preparation of the sutures involved boiling the hair, which inadvertently sterilised it!
Taking a closer look at the #ToolsOfTheTrade of surgeons, we decided to pay attention to the handles of our surgical knives dating from the 19th century. Ebony, ivory and even cord had been used as handles to ensure a good grip of the knife in the hands of the surgeons. #histmed
Let's be honest! The last thing that you might want is for that knife to slip when it is not supposed to! All jokes aside, the death rate at the surgical wards of Old St Thomas' Hospital was counted between 11% to 20%,
and many of these deaths were caused by infections rather than by the surgical procedures themselves. The materials on these handles were definitely not helping as they were not aseptic! #oldoptheatre #histmed #surgery #Victorian
[1/9] In honour of the animals that contribute to medical advancement, here’s a story of how four scientists and a donkey made a discovery in the 19th c that has helped to save thousands of lives on the operating table! #histmed #oldoptheatre #animalsinmedicine #frontliners
[2/9]Naturalist and intrepid explorer Charles Waterton was invited by colleague Sir Joseph Banks, surgeon Benjamin Brodie and veterinarian William Sewell to test the effects of the poison curare (wourali, back then).
[3/9] They injected a donkey with enough curare that she collapsed after ten minutes, then performed an emergency tracheotomy using a pair of bellows to keep the animal alive. After about four hours of pumping, the animal recovered enough to rise and walk around the room.
[1/7 Thread 👇] Today we salute another African-American pioneer and historical #frontliner: Doctor Rebecca Lee Crumpler, born in 1831.
#BlackLivesMatter #HistMed #OldOpTheatre
#BlackLivesMatter #HistMed #OldOpTheatre
[2/7] She was the first black woman doctor in the United States of America, obtaining her medical degree in 1864 in the middle of the American Civil War. Early on, Lee Crumpler was a nurse, and her transition to become a doctor was not an easy one!
[3/7] It took several letters of recommendation from doctors she used to work for, before she was able to secure a place to study at the New England Female Medical College, currently known as Boston University School of Medicine.
[1/6] Let us introduce you to this extraordinary African-American pioneer: Mary Eliza Mahoney (1845-1926). She was the first black professional nurse in America, & an active organizer among African-American nurses.
Today we salute this historical #frontliner 👇#BlackLivesMatter
Today we salute this historical #frontliner 👇#BlackLivesMatter
[2/6]She was born in Boston on 1845. At age 18, she decided to pursue a career in nursing, working at the progressive New England Hospital for Women and Children. Age 33, she was accepted in that hospital's nursing school, the first professional nursing program in the country.
[3/6]After graduation, Mahoney registered for work as a private-duty nurse. Families that employed Mahoney praised her calm and quiet efficiency. Her professionalism helped raise the status of all nurses.
