
Michael Crumplin as an Assistant Surgeon in the 33rd Regiment
Surgery during the Napoleonic Wars
Includes exclusive pre-talk access to the Hunterian Museum from 17:00 to 18:50
20th November 2023
19:00–20:30
Sold out
In this illustrated talk Mr Michael Crumplin FRCS describes the various theatres of war and types of injuries and challenges for Britain’s soldiers, sailors, marines and surgeons during the Napoleonic War. He highlights the training of surgeons, their experiences on the battlefield or at sea and the few advances made in surgical practice in the early 19th century. Hampered by the lack of pain relief and antiseptic knowledge and practice, outcomes were modest or poor, but in some cases better than commonly realised. Michael outlines various operative procedures, illustrating therapies and the results during and after combat and in hospitals.
About Michael
Michael Crumplin is a retired consultant surgeon and world authority on surgery during the Napoleonic Wars. He has been an expert medical advisor on the depiction of surgery for numerous films and documentaries including Master and Commander; Sean Bean on Waterloo; Blood and Bullets and Battlefield Detectives. His aim in researching and writing histories is to promote interest in the human cost of war and the evolution of healthcare in the armed services.
Michael Crumplin co-ordinated the educational activities for the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo for the Waterloo 200 Committee and set up a permanent museum of surgery and medical care, funded by a local business man, relevant to the Campaign of Waterloo, in the farm buildings used as the main Allied field hospital at Waterloo. He is the author of five books and numerous papers relating to surgery in times of war.
He is an Honorary Curator at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Honorary Archivist at the Association of Surgeons.