The Facemaker

The mechanisation of battle during World War 1, lead to both more and worse injuries than had been seen before.
Facial injuries damaged both the body and the psyche, with men ostracised for being too disturbing to look at.

The possibility of successful reconstructive surgery attracted a disparate group of professionals, including ENT surgeons, general surgeons and dentists.

This book is a fascinating account of both the patients and the healthcare professionals.

The focus is on Harold Gillies and his pioneering work in establishing the beginnings of modern plastic surgery.
There are many other honourable mentions of international contributors to the work. Many of whom were self funded.

With each patient comes a vignette of the grim circumstances surrounding their injuries, together with pretty gory clinical details.

A very interesting read, which makes one very grateful for modern anaesthesia, asepsis and analgesia.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.