In 1854 during the early-April offensive of the Crimean War, an innovation in the Russian artillery shells resulted in a vast increase in the mangled limbs of the Ottoman, British and French soldiers fighting them.
Medic, nurse, humanitarian, priest and inventor François Bonnet distracted the patients in the infirmary by first donning a bright pick rabbit suit during their amputations. He chose pink so the red blood stains would not be visible and frighten the young men...boys, really.
The wounds were so grievous and the pain so overwhelming that Bonnet realized that he needed to do more to relieve the pain and fear. He soon became a leading figure in the rapidly advancing science of anesthesia.
Monsieur Bonnet was so successful in his efforts that the Crimean Catholic Church recognized him as a local saint pending confirmation by the Vatican. Quick to recognize his contributions, Anesthesiologist now recognize him as their official Patron Saint and the west generally celebrates his feast day in late-March or early-April.
You have probably heard of him by the Anglicised version of his name. He is also known as the Ether Bunny.
Wounded by the hook in my mouth...
ReplyDeleteSomeday I will get even by telling string joke. Just you wait.
Deletedude.
ReplyDeleteI will cut you, Joe....
ReplyDeleteYou had right up to the last line.
ReplyDeleteThat is so groan worthy that I will forward it to everyone on my mailing list.
ReplyDeletePhil B
That's a good one! I did NOT know that!
ReplyDelete