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[1/7] We know what you’re thinking … how were strangulated hernias treated in the 19th century?! Well, fear not because we have some answers! A strangulated hernia is a serious medical condition in which tissue pushes through the abdominal wall and...
#oldoptheatre #histmed
![[1/7] We know what you’re thinking … how were strangulated hernias treated in the 19th century?! Well, fear not because we have some answers! A strangulated hernia is a serious medical condition in which tissue pushes through the abdominal wall and... #oldoptheatre #histmed](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er2hAV2XYAUYXqJ.jpg "[1/7] We know what you’re thinking … how were strangulated hernias treated in the 19th century?! Well, fear not because we have some answers! A strangulated hernia is a serious medical condition in which tissue pushes through the abdominal wall and... #oldoptheatre #histmed")
#oldoptheatre #histmed
[2/7] becomes trapped by the surrounding muscle, cutting off the blood supply to the tissue. If not treated with emergency surgery the condition can quickly prove fatal through sepsis-inducing gangrene and other complications.
![[2/7] becomes trapped by the surrounding muscle, cutting off the blood supply to the tissue. If not treated with emergency surgery the condition can quickly prove fatal through sepsis-inducing gangrene and other complications.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er2hDbhXYAMtoyC.jpg "[2/7] becomes trapped by the surrounding muscle, cutting off the blood supply to the tissue. If not treated with emergency surgery the condition can quickly prove fatal through sepsis-inducing gangrene and other complications.")
[3/7] Surgery in the 19th century was a risky business, particularly before the use of anaesthesia, so some surgeons would try to delay operating by employing taxis (external manual pressure to reduce the hernia), warm baths, cold compresses, bloodletting and purging.
![[3/7] Surgery in the 19th century was a risky business, particularly before the use of anaesthesia, so some surgeons would try to delay operating by employing taxis (external manual pressure to reduce the hernia), warm baths, cold compresses, bloodletting and purging.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er2hFGFW8AEwDLN.jpg "[3/7] Surgery in the 19th century was a risky business, particularly before the use of anaesthesia, so some surgeons would try to delay operating by employing taxis (external manual pressure to reduce the hernia), warm baths, cold compresses, bloodletting and purging.")
[4/7] Surgeon and anatomist Malcolm W. Hilles, in his Treatise on Hernia (1838), seemed particularly keen on the use of tobacco enemas to purge the patient! But, despite these valiant efforts, emergency surgery was generally unavoidable.
[5/7] With bacteriology in its infancy in the early 19th century, a patient was in greater danger of dying from a postoperative infection than from the surgery itself (unless they were in the hands of a clumsy surgeon 
).
![[5/7] With bacteriology in its infancy in the early 19th century, a patient was in greater danger of dying from a postoperative infection than from the surgery itself (unless they were in the hands of a clumsy surgeon ).](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Er2hIaOW4AEFsOK.jpg "[5/7] With bacteriology in its infancy in the early 19th century, a patient was in greater danger of dying from a postoperative infection than from the surgery itself (unless they were in the hands of a clumsy surgeon ).")
).
[6/7] Hilles’s post-op care recommendations included an enema (of course!) and anti-inflammatory treatment to prevent peritonitis, which could involve further bloodletting, cupping and purging. At least you could say the post-op care was thorough! 
[7/7] We hope that you are enjoying these glimpses into the history of medicine. If you like what we do, please, consider supporting us during this difficult time 
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