Big Books of Spring
The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine

Questions About The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine

by Lindsey Fitzharris (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Butchering Art, please sign up.

Answered Questions (4)

I really want to read this but I also know they did a lot of gruesome things to animals in the name of science that I'd rather not read about--- does the book get into that topic at all?
Nancy Lister does experiments with frogs, and operates on a horse and a cow to test different sutures but most of the gruesome stuff is about the wounds, tu…moreLister does experiments with frogs, and operates on a horse and a cow to test different sutures but most of the gruesome stuff is about the wounds, tumors and suffering of people which I assume is something you are OK reading about. (less)
flag
Would this book be appropriate for a medical professional, or is it simply covering material that a doctor would already have learned about in med school? (I'm guessing med school wouldn't cover historical practices a century or more back, but could be wrong.) Would be great to hear from a doctor or similarly qualified professional. Thanks.
Alexander Tomic Hi. I am an Orthopedic Surgeon. The book was recommended to me by a colleague who considered it enlightening on historical medicine lacking in medical…moreHi. I am an Orthopedic Surgeon. The book was recommended to me by a colleague who considered it enlightening on historical medicine lacking in medical school. Having read it, I agree. Although appropriate for all medical students, I think it will be more enjoyable by a surgical fellow as he can better relate to terms and procedures mentioned in the book.
I thought it might be me, or my medical school lacking in the subject of History of Medicine, but the subject came up on a large medical meeting and there was no contest when I cited the book and facts depicted.
So, in conclusion, yes, it would be appropriate for a medical profesional interested in the history of our practice.(less)
flag
does it have accompanying illustrations or photographs from the respective time periods?
Jennifer My paperback copy does not have illustrations or photographs.
flag
I am looking at this book as a summer reading option for 16-17 students in Allied Health (students interested in the medical field). I want something interesting that will draw them in but if it is offensive (language, sex) I need to be able to justify it. Should I get this book or do you think it's too much for high school juniors?
Maryellen Cyr I think this would be a great book for this group.
It offers a very interesting take on the process of scientific discovery.
If these students are study…moreI think this would be a great book for this group.
It offers a very interesting take on the process of scientific discovery.
If these students are studying chemistry and/or biology, they will get a flavor of how the sciences overlap and contribute to one another.(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more