Robert Liston
This celebrity goo was created by player Steve West.
Scott Hardie made minor changes to the explanation provided by Steve.
publication date: Thursday, September 8, 2022 (part of Fall 2022)
category: 
Medicine
clue: Without anesthesia, this Scottish doctor not only didn't save the patient but killed three people in the attempt.
explanation: In the days before anesthesia, speediness in operations was highly desirable as the patient was awake during any procedure. Rushing to perform a leg amputation in 2 1/2 minutes, he severed three of his assistant's fingers. Both patient and assistant died of gangrene. A spectator to the operation, at very close hand, had his coat sliced and in great fear, died of shock. more…
intended difficulty: medium
solved by: Russ Wilhelm, LaVonne Lemler, Samir Mehta, Richard Slominsky, and Scott Hardie
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