Surgeon Gilbert amputation stereo card

CIVIL WAR SURGEON GILBERT AMPUTATION IMAGES

By Melinda K. Johnson and Paul R. Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Companion stereoview of amputation of 5th N.Y. soldier at Ft. Monroe, 1861. Surgeon Gilbert is bent over the patient's right leg with circular amputating knife about to make the initial circumferential incision. Assistant Surgeon Martin is tightening the Petit spiral tourniquet to occlude arterial blood flow. In his left hand is a sponge. A small basin is strategically placed below the anticipated blood drippings. Two 'Anesthesiologists' attend the patient with a sponge presumably soaked in Ether or Chloroform at his mouth (face can not be seen). Both of these gentlemen are also busy looking at the photographer and not the patient!

A small leather bound pocket surgical set is opened and appears to be resting upon a knapsack. In the background, the opened ?Hernstein operating set is on the table and the capital amputating bow saw appears out of it's recessed space and at the ready. Notice the effective use of natural sunlight for operative illumination.

A number of fellow Zouves are standing around, two with bayoneted M1842 muskets. Dr. Gilbert's eagle head sword hilt is visible just above an attendants head. This used to be a problem in my observation, since a model 1840 Medical Staff sword should be standard for a surgeon. However, I've personally owned a similar eaglehead militia sword (Horstmann, Philadelphia) which had 'MS' in the shield crossguard and was presented to an Illinois surgeon. Additionally, this very same sword can be seen with Dr. Gilbert in the stereoview of Duryea and his staff.

Stereoview by Stacy, circa 1861.

Click images to enlarge

Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques

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CIVIL WAR SURGEON GILBERT AMPUTATION IMAGES

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American Civil War Surgical Antiques

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Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques