Discover how hospital size affects survival after amputations and what the numbers really mean for patients.
This nonfiction work compiles twenty years of hospital records from cottage hospitals and compares them with larger metropolitan facilities. It uses actual cases and a clear summary to show overall mortality and the specific outcomes of primary versus secondary amputations, along with observed causes of death. The text also shares contemporary expert opinions and letters from practicing cottage hospital surgeons that illuminate real-world practice and decision-making.
- Concrete data on 326 amputations across 61 cottage hospitals, with mortality figures and breakdowns by limb and method.
- Explanations of how primary (for injury) and secondary (for disease) amputations differ in outcomes.
- Context on how hospital size, environment, and staffing may influence recovery and survival.
- Direct perspectives from surgeons about advantages of cottage hospitals and the realities of surgical boldness in different settings.
Ideal for readers exploring medical history, hospital design, and the evolution of antiseptic practice in nineteenth‑century care.