Lindsey Fitzharris

Date: 2019-03-26 | Duration: 1h 51m

Episode Overview

Lindsey Fitzharris dives into the gruesome and fascinating history of surgery and medicine, revealing how far the field has come from its brutal origins. She recounts vivid stories of 19th-century surgeons like Robert Liston, known as the “fastest knife in the West End,” who performed amputations in mere minutes amid chaotic, blood-soaked operating theaters filled with spectators. Fitzharris explains the harrowing realities patients faced before antiseptic techniques, including the high mortality rates from infections and the primitive tools used, often repurposed from other trades like pig castration. She also touches on the origins of antiseptic surgery, highlighting Joseph Lister’s groundbreaking work and the resistance he faced despite saving countless lives. The conversation explores bizarre medical practices of the past, such as the use of embalmed human remains as supposed cures, the role of barber surgeons who doubled as dentists and bloodletters, and the infamous plague doctor masks designed to combat miasma. Fitzharris also discusses the evolution of plastic surgery, from early reconstructive efforts during World War I to modern face transplants, emphasizing the resilience of patients and the ongoing quest to restore identity and dignity. Throughout, she shares intriguing anecdotes and historical insights that illuminate the strange, often macabre journey of medicine’s development.

About Lindsey Fitzharris

Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris is a distinguished author and medical historian renowned for her captivating exploration of the darker side of medicine. She gained widespread acclaim with her bestselling book, "The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine," which delves into the revolutionary changes in surgical practices during the 19th century. As the creator of the popular blog "The Chirurgeon's Apprentice" and the host of the YouTube series "Under the Knife," Lindsey brings history to life with her engaging storytelling and insightful analysis. Her unique ability to blend humor with the macabre makes her a compelling figure in the realm of medical history, captivating audiences and sparking conversations about the evolution of healthcare.

Key Moments

– History of Surgery
– Medical Antiseptics
– Victorian Medicine
– Plastic Surgery History
– Barber Surgeons
– Medical Instruments
– Medical Ethics
– Medical Education
– Medical Superstitions
– Medical Innovations
– Disease Transmission
– Anesthesia History
– Medical Museums
– Historical Medical Practices
– Medical Dissection
– Medical History Books
– Medical History Documentaries
0:00:00 – Introduction and guest Lindsey Fitzharris
0:02:22 – Listerine's original 19th century use
0:03:22 – Historical surgical theaters and spectators
0:06:53 – Limb amputations and surgical risks
0:11:31 – Robert Liston, fastest surgeon of the West End
0:15:29 – Joseph Lister's antiseptic techniques and mastectomy
0:19:39 – Barber surgeons and the origin of barber poles
0:24:28 – Medicinal use of human remains in history
0:25:57 – Cadaver grafts in modern surgery
0:28:25 – Awareness of patients during surgery in history
0:30:31 – Colorful attire of historical surgeons
0:32:27 – Introduction of ether anesthesia in 1846
0:34:20 – Bayer's invention of heroin and medical use
0:41:11 – Plague doctor masks and their myths
0:44:19 – Contagion theories before germ theory
0:50:19 – Use of pig castration tools in childbirth
0:54:46 – Lindsey Fitzharris's academic background
1:00:36 – Discussion of medical horror films
1:07:20 – History of plastic surgery and WWI injuries
1:11:21 – Modern face transplants and recovery stories
1:14:24 – Historical use of bodies for medical dissection
1:16:01 – Cemetery guns to prevent grave robbing
1:19:15 – Dissection room conditions and smells
1:22:35 – Confirmation bias in medical science
1:25:03 – Samuel Gross and the Gross Clinic painting
1:26:40 – Florence Nightingale's sanitation efforts
1:29:08 – Book cover designs and publishing choices
1:30:46 – Kellogg's obsession with masturbation and treatments
1:34:59 – Victorian beliefs about female orgasm and pregnancy
1:38:57 – Historical urine tasting for diagnosis
1:42:06 – Syphilis effects and social stigma
1:44:11 – Historical treatments for syphilis
1:45:44 – Syphilis epidemic in 16th century Europe
1:47:45 – Closing remarks and how to follow Lindsey Fitzharris

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Okay, here we go. Five, four, three, two. Yes, and we're live. Hello, Lindsay. What's Starting point is 00:00:33 Well, I'm a PhD. Starting point is 00:00:41 Yeah. Starting point is 00:01:04 Oh, God. Yeah. And the release it and it would spin sort of automatically. Oh God. Starting point is 00:01:30 to recreate it for my my youtube channel now when you in those old days when they didn't have Starting point is 00:02:22 product Listerine. But it wasn't even a mouthwash in the 19th century. Starting point is 00:02:38 No, I don't endorse that. Starting point is 00:02:55 stuff inside your mouth like I'm not Starting point is 00:03:22 filled to the rafters with ticketed spectators. People actually bought tickets Starting point is 00:03:36 Now I really need to look into that. Starting point is 00:04:05 He's 6'2". Starting point is 00:04:19 I mean, if we just sat here for 30 seconds with dead air time and you could think about, you know, hacking through that leg. Or just scream for 30 seconds with dead air time and you could think about you know hacking through that Starting point is 00:04:48 There he is. Starting point is 00:05:09 It's unknowable. Starting point is 00:05:36 just to like illustrate how different this was that's the face i wanted i wanted to just be Starting point is 00:06:00 Died of fright? Starting point is 00:06:20 No, he just cut their coat as he was kind of switching instruments. Starting point is 00:06:53 People are getting their limbs hacked off. Starting point is 00:07:17 Thank you. Starting point is 00:07:39 It did not work. No, he died. Starting point is 00:08:12 i'll tweet it later for people there you go if people want to see it well tweet twitter is the Starting point is 00:08:31 It seems to be dependent upon how many people complain. Starting point is 00:08:44 Yeah. I know. think they just want to do something they just want to press that button yeah oh i'm mad there we go yeah i know i get uh you know at this point th...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1272?

Lindsey Fitzharris was the guest on JRE #1272. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1272?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1272 with Lindsey Fitzharris, topics include History of Surgery, Medical Antiseptics, Victorian Medicine, and Plastic Surgery History.

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