Operating Theaters

Operating Theaters

During the much of the Victorian Era, many hospitals in London had operating theaters, where people could buy a ticket to watch operations. The spectacle could be gruesome, as anesthesia was not used until 1847. The images provided show the attentiveness of the spectators, and the essay mentions the operating theaters as being customary in London. These images/essays show how some Victorians had an interest or curiosity that wet oday might consider unhealthy

Bull, John (Jan 1847) "The Use of Ether in Surgery"
Cape Monthly Magazine (Nov 1871) "Somerset Hospital"
The Old Operating Theatre Museum (images)

Images/Periodicals/Essays