[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

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%,

[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).

[1/7 Thread 👇] Today we salute another African-American pioneer and historical #frontliner: Doctor Rebecca Lee Crumpler, born in 1831.
#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!

[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 [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.