The treatment of compound fractures in the eighteenth century

In the 18th century, the first international dispute of any dimension arose in the history of surgery. It concerned the question whether or not compound fractures, those sustained on the battlefield in particular, should be treated by immediate amputation. The Prussian army surgeon Bilguer showed himself a protagonist of conservative treatment, whereas many French authors as well as the Dutchman Van Gesscher, favoured prompt operation. Also forced by defective medical provisions on the field, primary amputation remained the treatment of choice for some time to come.