Surgery was essential to the treatment of many ailments and injuries suffered in Ancient Rome. It was advanced far beyond its contemporaries, including procedures that would have been considered inhumane today. At the same time, it included some very basic techniques, some of which were also used in ancient cultures as far apart as Egypt and China. The type of surgery conducted in Ancient Rome was driven by the limited medical knowledge of the time.
The most commonly performed type of surgery in Ancient Rome was traumatic surgery. This type of surgery was used to treat injuries, such as broken bones, wounds and lacerations. Traumatic surgery involved grisly tools such as saws, drills and chisels, and was used to amputate hands and feet. It was also used to staple wounds closed.
Craniotomy was a type of surgery only used in very serious cases, such as dangerous infections and tumors. This procedure involved drilling into the skull of the patient and removing pieces of bone. This allowed doctors access to the brain, spinal cord, or other highly sensitive organ. Craniotomy was a dangerous procedure, and not all patients survived it.
Surgeons in Ancient Rome were also known to perform plastic surgery. This type of surgery was used for purely cosmetic reasons and often involved the insertion of foreign objects, such as shells or pearls, into the patient’s body. However, it was not always successful, and some patients died due to the procedure. Other procedures, such as otoplasty, could disfigure a person rather than make them look better.
Another type of surgery performed in Ancient Rome was malpractice. Most malpractice was done to women, such as the practice of draining their blood in an attempt to cure them of various ailments. The use of poisons to kill sickly people was also common. However, these practices were widely condemned by the medical profession.
Ancient Rome also saw the invention of many tools used in surgery. The most famous is the scalpel. Scalpels were used to cut and shape tissue, and were considered a major advance in surgery. Other tools included forceps, catheters, and needles.
The practice of surgery in Ancient Rome was a major advance in medicine and surgery. Although rudimentary, some of the techniques used in Ancient Rome are still practiced today. The practices and tools that were developed then remain the basis for modern surgery.
Arm and Leg Surgeries
Surgery was also performed on arms and legs, to treat a wide variety of injuries and conditions. Common surgeries included amputations, tendon repairs, facial reconstructions, and removal of tumors. Amputations were usually done to remove diseased parts of the body, such as gangrenous limbs. Tendon repairs were used to correct torn or damaged tendons. Facial reconstructions were often performed to repair injuries caused by facial trauma.
Tumors were also removed surgically, but this was a rare procedure due to a lack of knowledge of the effects of tumors. Doctors often resorted to cauterization to reduce the risk of spreading the infection. Cauterization was done by using a heated piece of metal to burn the infected tissue. Although this was a painful procedure, it was often successful in treating tumors.
Tracheal surgery was also occasionally used to open a blocked airway. This was done by inserting a large metal tube into the throat, and then using forceps to remove the blockage. This was very risky, and could lead to permanent damage or death.
Surgery on the eyes was also a common practice. This type of surgery was used to attempt to restore vision and alleviate discomfort. Cataracts were particularly common and were treated with various instruments to gouge out the affected eye and replace it with a new lens.
Despite the risk, surgery was considered a viable option to treat many ailments and injuries in Ancient Rome.
Surgery Equipment
Surgeons in Ancient Rome were limited to a few types of tools. They were mostly limited to metallic instruments, although ceramic tools were also sometimes used. Common instruments included knives, forceps, tweezers, probes, saws and needles. Tools were made of bronze, iron and even gold. Each instrument was specially designed for a specific task, such as cutting, stitching or cauterizing.
Surgeons also used bandages and salves to treat injuries and infections. Bandaging was a form of compression that helped keep wounds from bleeding too much. Various herbs and oils were mixed to create salves which were used to clean, disinfect and reduce swelling. Soothing balms were also available to dull the pain during surgery.
The tools used by Ancient Roman surgeons, although crude by today’s standards, were more advanced than those used by their contemporaries. However, they were limited by a lack of knowledge and understanding of anatomy and infection.
Surgeons and Physicians
Surgery was carried out by both surgeons and physicians in Ancient Rome. Surgeons focused specifically on operations and were often called upon to perform surgery on the battlefield. Physicians, on the other hand, focused on preventive medicine, diagnostics and therapy.
Surgeons in Ancient Rome did have some degree of professional recognition. They often belonged to guilds, which served as regulating bodies. The criteria for membership in these guilds was very strict and members were expected to uphold a high standard of medical care. Aside from their medical training, surgeons often received their skills through apprenticeships.
Physicians were held in high esteem and were often consulted by the wealthy and powerful. They were generally highly educated, having studied in the academies of Alexandria, Athens and Rome. Physicians were often invited to lavish banquets, where they could converse with the elite and discuss medical theories.
Surgeons and physicians in Ancient Rome were highly respected by their peers, and were consulted by the emperor on matters of health and surgery.
Practices and Beliefs
In Ancient Rome, it was believed that surgery had to be performed in accordance with the will of the gods. These beliefs led to a variety of superstitious practices. Blood-letting, for example, was thought to bring about favorable outcomes for certain surgeries. The location of the surgery also had to be considered, as it was believed that certain locations had healing properties. Magical charms, potions and spells were also commonly used.
Surgeons and physicians also believed that maintaining good hygiene was essential for successful surgery. Surgeons often washed their hands before and after surgeries, and the instruments were disinfected with hot water and vinegar—a practice still in use today. Physicians also prescribed various diets to improve health, believing that certain foods contained medicinal properties.
The medical profession in Ancient Rome was a complex one, and surgeons and physicians alike sought to provide the best care possible despite the limited medical knowledge of the time. It was a field rooted in tradition, where personal beliefs and superstitions often clashed with science and reason.
Conclusion of Ancient Roman Surgery
Surgery in Ancient Rome was a dangerous and often fatal undertaking. Many procedures were not well understood and serious infections were common. But despite the risks and the limited resources available, surgery remained the only way to treat certain life-threatening ailments. The remarkable advances in surgery achieved by the Ancient Romans laid the foundation for modern surgery.
