b'E L I T ET E A ME L I T ET E A M DID YOU KNOW, IN THE OLD WEST.By Lee Anderson, Old West Living Historian, Award Winning Author, and Old School HorsemanLee Anderson and his horse, Concho, are well known around the state doing presentations in schools, corporate events,and civic events. Learn more about them and his book on his website. historicaloldwest.orgE L I T EE Q U E S T R I A NT E A M L ast month weSurgery in the Victorian era wasCocaine and took a look atoften fatal, but often not due tomorphine were both undertakers inpoor surgical practices. Instead,hugely popular for the Old West. This month we\'ll take a look atthere was a high probability oftheir numbing and some of the 1800s "state of the art" practicesinfection after the patient leftcalming effects. that helped keep undertakers busy. the operating table. According toThey both were medical historians, "Surgeons ingiven regularly to Being a surgeon in the Victorian era wasthe Victorian era seldom washedchildren, especially for toothache. Interestingly, cocaine not considered the noble profession it istheir instruments or their hands.is still used as a dental anesthetic but only by trained and today. Victorian surgeons were famous forEven the operating tables werelicensed dentists.wearing their blood-soaked garments withrarely washed down." pride. Hospitals had what was calledClark Stanley coined the term a bug-catcher whose job was to ridDespite the"snake oil" in the late 1800s and the mattresses of lice, and he was paidpungent smell, doctors believedearly 1900s. He actually peddled more than a surgeon during this time.pus emitting from a post- his "snake oil" as a cure-all for surgery wound was a sign thatwhatever ailed you. What was Although he had no extensivethings were healing well. Theyactually in it? It was usually knowledge or formal training beyondsimply assumed it was "poison"mineral oil, a little animal fat, that of an apprentice, a barber wasleaving the body. "Ward fever"a touch of turpentine, a little often tasked with pulling teeth,was the usual explanationcamphor, and some red pepper. bloodletting, and performing basicfor the high death rate. TheNone of it came from a snake, surgical tasks. Surgeons and barbersinfection rate didn\'t beginand it certainly didn\'t cure anything! were separated as two professions wellto lower until 1867 when before the Victorian era, but patients in need of surgerysurgeon Joseph Lister introduced antiseptics andMy oldest son, Erik, used to have an old-time would still sometimes approach barbers, as they often hadsterile environments. Joseph Lister created Listerinemedicine show that he performed at fairs andthe sharp tools required for the job. To this day, the red andAntiseptic in 1879. In 1895 it was sold to dentists asspecial events. I always liked the way he put it.white poles outside of a barber\'s shop are symbolic of theListerine Antiseptic Mouthwash. A few years later, itWhile holding up a bottle of his "Dr. Anderson\'s blood-soaked napkins they used during bloodletting. became the very first over-the-counter mouthwash,famous elixir" he\'d proudly proclaim, "Nothing is and it\'s still available to this day. better." How true, how true. Wanna SPRUCE UP FOR SPRING? In the Heart of Historic We CanBlack Canyon CityHelp! 34301 S. Old Black ValleyWide Service Canyon Hwy, Exit 242Same Day & Next Day Service 10am to 4pmWe Specialize In: Storefronts Call Us For A Custom Showers Gems & Minerals Rock Show Custom Mirrors FREE ESTIMATE Shade Screens Arts & CraftsFoodMusicRaffles Residential WindowsMention this ad and receive And Plenty of Family Fun! Window Film 10% OFF For vendor information, please contact Debra George at 623-632-8781. Glass Railings Window Repair & Replacement Board Up Service24 Hour every time you need us!Emergency Service Office:2016, 2018, 2019, We Service Your Every Glass Need. 928-232-35402020 & 202125 N Adams St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390ArizonaRealCountry.com May 2022 9'