Men of Steel

Focusing on the practice of surgery during the Napoleonic Wars, this account highlights the challenges faced by surgeons before the advent of anaesthetics and antiseptics. The author, a retired surgeon, delves into the backgrounds of patients, the realities of wounds, and the rigorous training of surgeons. Despite operating under dire conditions and battling issues like contagion and infection, some surgical outcomes were surprisingly successful, showcasing the resilience and skill of medical practitioners of that era.