Has war been the main factor in the development of surgery in Britain since the Renaissance? Explain your
answer with reference to war and other factors. (16 marks + SPaG 4 marks)
War has been one of the main factors in the development of surgery in Britain since the Renaissance. It advanced
surgery in many ways, including the creation of new methods and technology. However, the work of key
individuals cannot be underestimated.
During the Renaissance, war provided surgeons with many patients. This gave them opportunities to try different
methods and improve core skills, including amputations. Pare was a war surgeon who developed improved
methods during warfare. They used a herbal-based treatment for raw wounds, moving away from the common
method of applying hot oil to cauterise them. He also used ligatures to tie-off wounds instead of cauterisation.
Both of these led to improved success rates. Yet his impact was limited as not everyone accepted his ideas.
War played a major role in the twentieth century following the two world wars.
As surgeons were faced with new wounds and demands new treatments and technologies were advanced.
During the First World War, Harold Giles developed new techniques to treat facial injuries and burns. Mobile X-
ray machines and blood transfusions were introduced, enabling injuries that frequently led to death to be
treated. The British Red Cross created the first voluntary blood banks in 1921. In 1938, the British government
established the Army Blood supply Depot in Bristol. This system still exists. The Second World War led to
developments in cataract surgery after it was discovered by Sir Harold Ridley that Perspex splinters were not
rejected by the eye. Recent wars have advanced improvements in prostheses. All examples involving war
highlight its importance and how it has progressed the major need at the time. Yet, war alone has not progressed
surgery. Instead, it has enabled some significant barriers to be broken.
More recently, advancements in technology, not war, have driven surgery. Improved machines have enabled
less-invasive surgery such as keyhole and laser techniques. Imaging technology has also become a central part of
surgery. CT and MRI scans allow surgeons to see inside the body without opening it.
Individuals have also played an important role in advancing surgery, especially in the late 1800s. Following
Pasteur's Germ Theory in 1861, advances in surgery followed. Joseph Lister used Pasteur's work to develop his
own observations.
This led to him creating the first antiseptic in 1867. In the short term it reduced Lister's death rates by 35 per
cent. In the long term it was a major factor in the development of aseptic surgery. Another key individual in the
development of surgery was James Simpson, his discovery of chloroform as an effective anaesthetic allowed
surgeons to attempt longer and more complex operations. Modern anaesthesia and aseptic methods are a
significant part of surgery. They allow it to be safe and effective. To a lesser extent the work of John Hunter also
needs to be noted. He ensured human anatomy was studied and trained many British surgeons from 1768.
Without individuals making new discoveries and experimenting, surgery would still be very risky. It was
individuals who removed the major causes of death in surgery, infection, pain and blood loss.
To conclude, war and technology have been major factors in the development of modern British surgery,
especially in the twentieth century following the First and Second World Wars. However, it must be noted that
the fundamental basics of modern surgery were due to the work of key individuals, Simpson and Lister.
answer with reference to war and other factors. (16 marks + SPaG 4 marks)
War has been one of the main factors in the development of surgery in Britain since the Renaissance. It advanced
surgery in many ways, including the creation of new methods and technology. However, the work of key
individuals cannot be underestimated.
During the Renaissance, war provided surgeons with many patients. This gave them opportunities to try different
methods and improve core skills, including amputations. Pare was a war surgeon who developed improved
methods during warfare. They used a herbal-based treatment for raw wounds, moving away from the common
method of applying hot oil to cauterise them. He also used ligatures to tie-off wounds instead of cauterisation.
Both of these led to improved success rates. Yet his impact was limited as not everyone accepted his ideas.
War played a major role in the twentieth century following the two world wars.
As surgeons were faced with new wounds and demands new treatments and technologies were advanced.
During the First World War, Harold Giles developed new techniques to treat facial injuries and burns. Mobile X-
ray machines and blood transfusions were introduced, enabling injuries that frequently led to death to be
treated. The British Red Cross created the first voluntary blood banks in 1921. In 1938, the British government
established the Army Blood supply Depot in Bristol. This system still exists. The Second World War led to
developments in cataract surgery after it was discovered by Sir Harold Ridley that Perspex splinters were not
rejected by the eye. Recent wars have advanced improvements in prostheses. All examples involving war
highlight its importance and how it has progressed the major need at the time. Yet, war alone has not progressed
surgery. Instead, it has enabled some significant barriers to be broken.
More recently, advancements in technology, not war, have driven surgery. Improved machines have enabled
less-invasive surgery such as keyhole and laser techniques. Imaging technology has also become a central part of
surgery. CT and MRI scans allow surgeons to see inside the body without opening it.
Individuals have also played an important role in advancing surgery, especially in the late 1800s. Following
Pasteur's Germ Theory in 1861, advances in surgery followed. Joseph Lister used Pasteur's work to develop his
own observations.
This led to him creating the first antiseptic in 1867. In the short term it reduced Lister's death rates by 35 per
cent. In the long term it was a major factor in the development of aseptic surgery. Another key individual in the
development of surgery was James Simpson, his discovery of chloroform as an effective anaesthetic allowed
surgeons to attempt longer and more complex operations. Modern anaesthesia and aseptic methods are a
significant part of surgery. They allow it to be safe and effective. To a lesser extent the work of John Hunter also
needs to be noted. He ensured human anatomy was studied and trained many British surgeons from 1768.
Without individuals making new discoveries and experimenting, surgery would still be very risky. It was
individuals who removed the major causes of death in surgery, infection, pain and blood loss.
To conclude, war and technology have been major factors in the development of modern British surgery,
especially in the twentieth century following the First and Second World Wars. However, it must be noted that
the fundamental basics of modern surgery were due to the work of key individuals, Simpson and Lister.
