title: Amputation through the ages: the oldest major surgical operation.
abstract: Amputation has been practised since neolithic times for punitive, therapeutic and ritualistic reasons. Until the development and adoption of general anaesthesia, it was the most major operation to which a surgeon could aspire and a speedy technique was essential. Many famous names have been associated with this operation in both military and civilian surgery.
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magee
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000266:history*; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000266:history; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000266:history