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  • Article

The problem of the punctured heart

During World War II a young American surgeon working in England perfected shrapnel-removal techniques that saved dozens of lives. Discover how one case sealed his reputation as the founder of cardiac surgery.

  • Article

The ancient doctors who refused payment

The NHS might only be 70 years old, but the idea of free healthcare goes back to Ancient Greece, when devout doctors provided their services without charge.

  • Article

Demanding a diagnosis for invisible pain

After dozens of hospital visits and handfuls of painkillers, a plethora of scans and tests bring diagnosis closer for Jaipreet Virdi.

  • Article

Bleeding healthy

For thousands of years, and in many different cultures, people have practised bloodletting for health and medical reasons. Julia Nurse explains where and when bleeding was used, how it was done, and why.

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Images

  • World War I Military Surgery, 1917
  • Exterior of the Josephinian Military Academy of Surgery.Vienna
  • Military Medicine: field surgery pannier, 1905
  • A report on amputations at the hip-joint in military surgery / by George A. Otis.
  • A report on amputations at the hip-joint in military surgery / by George A. Otis.
  • A report on amputations at the hip-joint in military surgery / by George A. Otis.
  • A report on amputations at the hip-joint in military surgery / by George A. Otis.
  • A report on amputations at the hip-joint in military surgery / by George A. Otis.
  • A battle with a scene of military surgery. Oil painting attributed to a Flemish painter, ca. 1700(?).
  • A battle with a scene of military surgery. Oil painting attributed to a Flemish painter, ca. 1700(?).
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