Robert Liston and his Amputation Knives

Within our History of Surgery Museum, we have a case of amputation instruments that were used by eminent surgeon Mr Robert Liston between 1815-1825.

The long knives, made by Stodart of London, would have been for performing circular amputation of limbs.

Without anaesthetic or antiseptic, the quicker a limb was removed and the cleaner the cut, the better the chances of survival.  The knives were made of high grade steel and kept razor-edged. They are still extremely sharp today.



Learn more about the interesting artefacts displayed in our Museums by visiting our Key Collections pages.