Two hundred years ago surgery was a terrifying prospect, often performed on the kitchen table. This account of the removal of a tumour describes the operation as ‘tedious, difficult, and terrible’. Although morphine had been discovered in 1805, it wasn’t in general use until the middle of the century.
“EXTRAORDINARY SURGICAL OPERATION.-On Friday the 22d ult. an encysted tumour was removed from the body of Hannah Hicks, of Dembleby, by Mr. Bisill, of Sleaford, the dimensions of which, before the operation, were as follow :-Its length, measured on the surface of the tumour, one foot three inches ; its breadth, one foot two inches ; and its circumference at the base, two feet six inches. The tumour was situated on the back, extending from the right breast, over the lower half of the shoulder-blade, to the spine, and passing down by the side of it, to the loins. It was ascertained, previously to the operation, that some of the muscles of the back were connected with the tumour ; and it was found also that part of the pectoral, part of the latissimus dorsi, and some of the inferior muscles of the shoulder-blade, were firmly adhering to its upper surface, and, what was very remarkable, part of the fibres of the latissimus dorsi were condensed into a sort of ligamentous band, about the size of a man’s finger, which passed directly through the body of the cyst. The tumour had also extended itself full three inches underneath the shoulder-blade, adhering there, and to the aponeurotic expansion of the back, and throughout the whole inferior surface of the sac, with a firmness equal to a ligament, rendering the operation at once tedious, difficult, and terrible : but all obstacles were surmounted, and we are happy to state the patient is now in a fair way to do well.”
Stamford Mercury, 5th June 1818.