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Free entry - booking recommended

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm

Photograph of a man dressed in a Napoleonic era uniform, with red coat and hat with badge. Over his uniform he wears a leather apron.

Michael Crumplin as an Assistant Surgeon in the 33rd Regiment

Surgery during the Napoleonic Wars

Director Ridley Scott’s new film Napoleon is released on the 25 November. Before you go find out what the reality was like for servicemen and surgeons in the bloody fields of battle with Mr Michael Crumplin, retired consultant surgeon and world authority on 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

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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.