Modern surgery began with saws and iron hands – how amputation transformed the body in the Renaissance
- Written by Heidi Hausse, Assistant Professor of History, Auburn University
Amputees in 16th century Europe commissioned iron hands from artisans, many of whom had never made prostheses before.Lernestål, Erik, Livrustkammaren/SHM, CC BY-SAThe human body today has many replaceable parts, ranging from artificial hearts to myoelectric feet. What makes this possible is not just complicated technology and delicate...