A Surgeon in Belgium

"A Surgeon in Belgium" by Henry Sessions Souttar is a non-fiction account written during the early 20th century, which chronicles the experiences of Souttar, an assistant surgeon, during his time at a Belgian field hospital amidst World War I. This work provides a poignant insight into both the medical practices adopted in the chaos of war and the profound impact that conflict has on ordinary lives. The author shares personal anecdotes, revealing the camaraderie among medical staff and the challenges they faced while tending to the horrors of war. At the start of the narrative, Souttar describes the anticipation and excitement he felt as he and his companions traveled to the front lines, eager to witness and participate in the monumental events of the war. He vividly recalls their arrival in Antwerp, providing descriptions of the city and its surroundings, setting the scene for the ensuing conflict. The opening portion highlights the stark contrast between the soldier's bravado and the somber reality of civilian suffering, as well as the resilience of the people in the face of tremendous trials. Through his observations, Souttar begins to reflect upon the complexities of human nature in wartime, balancing the exhilaration of being part of a significant moment in history with the tragic experiences of those caught in the crossfire. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Henry Sessions Souttar was a British surgeon with a wide breadth of interests. He trained first as a mathematician and engineer. His engineer’s training enabled him to design and make new types of surgical instrument. His mathematical training made him a leader in setting out the first British guidelines for Radiotherapy. In 1925 he pioneered "blind" open heart surgery on a patient with congenital heart defect. This was not repeated until 1948.