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Scientific Anti-Vivisectionism

SURGERY

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EXPLORATION - the invention and clinical use of the

* gastroscope;

* rectoscope;

* cystoscope;

* laryngoscope;

* oesophagoscope;

* bronchoscope

DIAGNOSIS - the invention and clinical use of the

* thermometer;

* measurement of blood pressure

* stethoscope;

* heart catheterization;

* electrocardiogram (ECG);

* x-rays;

* C.A.T. scanner;

INSTRUMENTS -

* ligatures for wounds

* microscope

* hypodermic syringe

SURGERY pt 2 - surgical techniques and operations

* for removal of brain tumours;

* on the breast, including removal of tumours;

* for ectopic gestation;

* in hip replacement surgery;

* on the prostate glands;

* on the thyroid glands

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below - some examples of the surgical procedures performed by the

* Ancient Egyptians;

* Hindu surgeons

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

An archeological expedition found evidence of wooden splints attached to fractures of the bodies in an Egyptian tomb dating back to 2400BC(1). Further to this, the Edwin Smith papyrus, dating from 1550BC, contains references to the Ancient Egyptians having diagnosed fractures(2).

Although there is no evidence of surgical scars in any of the mummies so far found, the papyrus refer to the stitching of incisions, and closing wounds by binding them with adhesive tape made of linen(2).

The Smith papyrus also indicates that the Ancient Egyptians dissected human cadavers(2).

According to the Ebers papyrus, from about 1500BC, the Ancient Egyptains used "knife treatment" for haemangioma (benign tumours of the blood vessels) and lipoma (benign tumours composed of fat cells)(1). The surgeons also operated for disorders of the reproductive tract(3), blood clots, and undertook tracheostomies for blockage in the windpipe(4).

refs

1. Nunn,J. Ancient Egyptian Medicine. British Museum Press. 1996.

2. Reeves,C. Egyptian Medicine. Shire Publications. 1992.

1. Nunn,J. Ancient Egyptian Medicine. British Museum Press. 1996.

3. Estes,JW. The Medical Skills of Ancient Egypt. Science History Publications. 1993

4. Nunn,J. Ancient Egyptian Medicine. British Museum Press. 1996.

SUSRUTA and HINDU SURGEONS

Susruta, in the 5th century BC, paved the way for surgery. As religious laws forbid application of the knife to dead bodies, Susruta recommended doctors to study the human anatomy by placing a cadaver in a basket and immersing it in a river, to leave it for a week until it decomposed, and then to peal away the skin, so that the organs could be observed. His work, `Susruta Samhita`, listed 121 surgical instruments including knives, scalpels, scissors, foreceps, three types of needles for suturing, catheters and syringes(1); and described over 100 surgical operations, including extraction of cataracts, repair of torn ear lobes and cleft lips, removal of stones from the bladder, tonsillectomy, "caesarian" section(2), surgery on anal fistulas, operating on tumours of the neck, lancing of abscesses and amputation of limbs(3).

ref.

1. Margotta,R. Hamlyn Hisory of Medicine. Hamlyn. 1996.

2. Persaud,TVN. Early History of Human Anatomy. Charles C Thomas. 1984.

3. Margotta,R. Hamlyn Hisory of Medicine. Hamlyn. 1996.

c. Scientific Anti-Vivisectionism

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