the-pesci-mode:

michaelwalsh:

tilthat:

TIL that in 1847, a doctor performed an amputation in 25 seconds, operating so quickly that he accidentally amputated his assistant’s fingers as well. Both later died of sepsis, and a spectator reportedly died of shock, resulting in the only known procedure with a 300% mortality rate.

via reddit.com

nice job idiot

Surgery Saga 1847 “Malpractice Ending” speedrun (0:00:25)

It’s true. His name was Dr. Liston. He was famous for speed.

It happened in this way: He used to demand that everyone time him. He had a leg to amputate and he got all puffed up and wanted to be timed. When he dropped the knife, he was so focused on making time, he didn’t notice taking off the fingers. The assistant let out a shout and dodged back, and at the exact moment, Liston lifted the knife, narrowly missing the bystander, catching instead his coat. The man dropped dead right there of a heart attack.

One of those things you read in the paper and think…

This is medicine these days, eh?