Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Prior to c1840 surgery was highly dangerous procedure with only a limited number of operations performed each year. People were usually very desperate to agree to an operation, knowing that it would result in great pain and likely death. Even if they survived the operation they were still at high risk from shock, blood loss and infection. From c1840 key developments in anaesthesia, infection control, blood transfusion and new technology led to a rapid change and transformation of surgery.
What will we cover?
Surgery in the early 1800s
Pain: James Simpson and the development of Anaesthetics
Infection: Joseph Lister and the development of antiseptics
Blood Loss: Landsteiner and Lewisohn and the development of Transfusions
War: The Great War and the transformation of surgery
Technology: The development of modern surgery
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate key factors that led to the transformation of surgery from c.1840 to the present day
Critically reflect on the impact of these developments.
Critically reflect on how surgery became increasingly professionalised and specialised
Critically reflect on the social impact of the transformation of surgery.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in and a willingness to engage with the topic and any class discussions are the only requirements.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:
Hollingham, Richard. Blood and guts: a history of surgery. Macmillan, 2009.
Rutkow, Ira. Empire of the scalpel: The history of surgery. Simon and Schuster, 2022.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HHS18 From the Cradle to the Grave: A History of the NHS 1948 to the Present (With David).
David has over twenty years’ experience in secondary schools and higher education. He holds a degree in Economics and History and a MA in History from Oxford Brookes University and has been an active member of the Historical Association (HA) and was recently a member of the People of 1381 Teacher Fellowship programme. He has also presented at history education conferences in Europe and the USA. His specific area of teaching expertise is post-1945 British political, economic, and social history particularly the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent and the Thatcher governments 1979-1990 but he teaches beyond these topics: British history 1603-1997; Russian history 1881-1990; American history 1865-2008, particularly the struggle for black equality; the use of popular music in history learning; and medicine history, c.1300 to the present day; and migration c. 1700 to the present day. David spends his spare time tending an unruly allotment, purveying homemade jam, and listening to Northern Soul music.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blood-pain-and-infection-how-surgery-was-transformed-from-1840-to-the-present-day3048688Blood, pain and infection: how surgery was transformed from 1840 to the present dayhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/h/hhs17-blood-pain-infection_-_copy.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Online courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science2285117711781731134721228511771178<p>The course examines key developments in surgery, as a critical aspect of modern medicine, between 1840 and the present day. </p><p></p>003048667Blood, pain and infection: how surgery was transformed from 1840 to the present day149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/h/h/hhs17-blood-pain-infection_-_copy_1.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHHS17149149Blood, pain and infection: how surgery was transformed from 1840 to the present day14997149David Ingledewblood-pain-and-infection-how-surgery-was-transformed-from-1840-to-the-present-day/hhs17-2627<p>The course examines key developments in surgery, as a critical aspect of modern medicine, between 1840 and the present day. </p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-09-15 00:00:00<p>Prior to c1840 surgery was highly dangerous procedure with only a limited number of operations performed each year. People were usually very desperate to agree to an operation, knowing that it would result in great pain and likely death. Even if they survived the operation they were still at high risk from shock, blood loss and infection. From c1840 key developments in anaesthesia, infection control, blood transfusion and new technology led to a rapid change and transformation of surgery. </p><p>The course examines key developments in surgery, as a critical aspect of modern medicine, between 1840 and the present day. </p><p></p><p>Surgery in the early 1800s</p><p>Pain: James Simpson and the development of Anaesthetics</p><p>Infection: Joseph Lister and the development of antiseptics</p><p>Blood Loss: Landsteiner and Lewisohn and the development of Transfusions</p><p>War: The Great War and the transformation of surgery</p><p>Technology: The development of modern surgery</p><p></p><p>Evaluate key factors that led to the transformation of surgery from c.1840 to the present day</p><p>Critically reflect on the impact of these developments.</p><p>Critically reflect on how surgery became increasingly professionalised and specialised</p><p>Critically reflect on the social impact of the transformation of surgery. </p><p></p><p>An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in and a willingness to engage with the topic and any class discussions are the only requirements.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.</p><p>Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:</p><p>Hollingham, Richard. <em>Blood and guts: a history of surgery</em>. Macmillan, 2009.</p><p>Rutkow, Ira. <em>Empire of the scalpel: The history of surgery</em>. Simon and Schuster, 2022.</p><p>HHS18 From the Cradle to the Grave: A History of the NHS 1948 to the Present (With David).</p>HistoryThe history of sciencevirtual14914997HHS17NONETue15/09/26 - 20/10/2619:30 - 21:0019:3021:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineDavid IngledewBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Blood, pain and infection: how surgery was transformed from 1840 to the present dayblood-pain-and-infection-how-surgery-was-transformed-from-1840-to-the-present-day/hhs17-2627<p>The course examines key developments in surgery, as a critical aspect of modern medicine, between 1840 and the present day. </p><p></p>0000-Available|2026-09-15 00:00:00<p>Prior to c1840 surgery was highly dangerous procedure with only a limited number of operations performed each year. People were usually very desperate to agree to an operation, knowing that it would result in great pain and likely death. Even if they survived the operation they were still at high risk from shock, blood loss and infection. From c1840 key developments in anaesthesia, infection control, blood transfusion and new technology led to a rapid change and transformation of surgery. </p><p>The course examines key developments in surgery, as a critical aspect of modern medicine, between 1840 and the present day. </p><p></p><p>Surgery in the early 1800s</p><p>Pain: James Simpson and the development of Anaesthetics</p><p>Infection: Joseph Lister and the development of antiseptics</p><p>Blood Loss: Landsteiner and Lewisohn and the development of Transfusions</p><p>War: The Great War and the transformation of surgery</p><p>Technology: The development of modern surgery</p><p></p><p>Evaluate key factors that led to the transformation of surgery from c.1840 to the present day</p><p>Critically reflect on the impact of these developments.</p><p>Critically reflect on how surgery became increasingly professionalised and specialised</p><p>Critically reflect on the social impact of the transformation of surgery. </p><p></p><p>An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An interest in and a willingness to engage with the topic and any class discussions are the only requirements.</p><p>The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input and discussion with student participationencouraged.</p><p>Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:</p><p>Hollingham, Richard. <em>Blood and guts: a history of surgery</em>. Macmillan, 2009.</p><p>Rutkow, Ira. <em>Empire of the scalpel: The history of surgery</em>. Simon and Schuster, 2022.</p><p>HHS18 From the Cradle to the Grave: A History of the NHS 1948 to the Present (With David).</p>HistoryThe history of scienceconfigurable
134721178The history of sciencehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-history-of-science1/2/285/1177/1178/134721/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The history of science
