The proper period for the performance of amputation in cases of traumatic injuries / by B.A. Watson.

  • Watson, B. A. (Beriah André), 1836-1892.
Date:
[1880]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The proper period for the performance of amputation in cases of traumatic injuries / by B.A. Watson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    THE PROPER PERIOD FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF AMPUTATION IN CASES OF T jo a ix m atic X n j tx x* ± © s BY B. A. WATSON, M.D., Surgeon to Jersey City Charity, and St. Francis’ Hospitals, Jersey City, N. J. When a traumatic lesion has rendered the performance of amputation absolutely necessary, it then becomes important to determine the most favorable time for the accomplish- ment of this object. This question is not new, has frequent- ly been the subject of protracted discussions, and, it was not until the present century that any unanimity of opinion could be claimed to exist on this point among surgeons. Military surgeons were the first to advocate the immediate performance of this operation, as is shown by the writings of Wiseman, Ranby, and LeDran. Ranby says,* “ If a wound be of such a desperate nature as to require amputa- tion, (which is always the case when it happens in any prin- cipal joint,) it would certainly be of consequence could the operation be performed on the spot, even in the field of battle ; lest, by deferring it, an inflammation may come on, which one may very reasonably expect should obstruct a work that ought rarely to be entered, upon during the con- tinuance of so calamitous a circumstance. The neglecting this critical juncture of taking off a limb, frequently reduces