The 19th century saw a complete transformation of the practice and reputation of surgery. This fascinating book follows its increasingly optimistic evolution, drawing on the very best examples of rare surgical textbooks, with a focus on the extraordinary visual materials, held by the Wellcome Collection.

Unnerving and graphic, yet beautifully rendered, these fascinating illustrations include step-by-step surgical techniques paired with medical instruments and painted depictions of operations in progress. Arranged for the layman from head to toe, and accompanied by an authoritative, eloquent and inspiring narrative from medical historian Richard Barnett, this is an engrossing and enlightening volume.