Men of Steel

Focusing on the challenges faced by surgeons during the Napoleonic Wars, the book provides an in-depth account of surgical practices before the advent of anaesthesia and antiseptics. The author, a retired surgeon, explores the backgrounds of patients, the realities of battlefield injuries, and the rigorous training of surgeons. Despite operating under dire conditions, these medical professionals achieved remarkable outcomes while grappling with issues of contagion, infection, and severe bleeding.