Revolutionary Surgeons

Patriots and Loyalists on the Cutting Edge

By: Per-Olof Hasselgren

Narrated by: Graham Winton

Revolutionary Surgeons offers an integrated picture of surgeons as political and military leaders of the American Revolution.

Prominent surgeons participated in political activities that ultimately resulted in the breakaway of the colonies from Britain. Surgeons were members of the Sons of Liberty and other groups opposing Acts imposed on the colonies by Parliament. Similar to other groups in society, surgeons were split in their view of the growing opposition against the English rule of the American colonies and the wish to create an independent nation. Even with different opinions of the revolution, Loyalists and Patriots were often able to get along and live peacefully in the same communities.

Surgery underwent dramatic developments during the 1700s. Although anesthesia was still a century in the future, surgeons performed extensive procedures, including laparotomies (opening of the abdomen) for tumors, mastectomies for cancerous growths, amputations of the leg above or below the knee, and cutting for the stone (removal of bladder stones). An increased understanding of human anatomy was one reason why surgeons kept moving the boundaries of what was considered possible. With no anesthesia, patients’ screams from pain and horror were unimaginable. Many patients died from shock on the operating table or from postoperative bleedings and infections. Stories about surgeons as leaders of the American Revolution and about their heroic surgical procedures provide for an exciting listen.

©2021 Per-Olof Hasselgren (P)2021 Recorded Books

Great blend of american history and surgery

I enjoyed this very educational book on the revolution, medicine and surgery. Great insight on the surgeons who carried for our founding fathers. So sad Franklin had to suffer so much from urinary issues and bladder stones, something very treatable today.

As a fellow academic surgeon I especially enjoyed the history behind the first medical schools in the USA. Before that time if you were wealthy you trained in London and then Edinburgh and for everyone else you learned under the apprenticeship model.

Novel topic well done

The author highlights ten medical surgeons in the American Revolution, some well known, others not. The lesser known ones are most interesting. The author also showcases the brutality of surgical procedures without anesthesia. I was impressed that good doctors knew more about some medical issues than I thought. I recommend the book, which is written.