Secret forceps & pig bladders: medical objects through time

Welcome to the History Extra podcast, fascinating historical conversations from the makers of BBC History magazine. What was it like to undergo an operation in a world with no anaesthetic? How was the stethoscope invented? And when did we first operate on a human heart? In her new book, Dr.

Carol Cooper condenses the history of medicine down to the stories of twelve pivotal objects, from the bonesaw to the heart-lung machine. Lauren Good spoke to Carol to find out more. And please be aware, the following podcast does contain descriptions of medical and mental health issues. Carol, thank you for joining me to explore your new book, The History of Medicine in Twelve Objects. Let's start with a question I know I was asking when I started reading this book.

How on earth did you begin narrowing down this expansive history to the 12 objects we'll be talking about today? Hi Lauren, well it was not an easy task and I really wanted to make it about 20 objects, but then I realized I wouldn't be able to devote as many words, as much space if I did that. So I really had to narrow it down to 12. But I think each of the objects, I go through the antecedents to that object and what came before and also how the object was used, how it was received by fellow professionals and patients and what it led to afterwards.

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