Comments on: How To: Remove a bladder stone in the days before anesthesia http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 17:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: george57l http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235640 george57l Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235640 I do not know offhand if it is available as a podcast (but should be on iPlayer) but this week BBC Radio 4 is serialising Samuel Pepys diary. Yesterday's episode included a section about him describing to his friends (regaling them with his anecdote) how his stone was extracted "I was bound and gagged and .... they went up through the cods .....   and it was the size of a tennis ball" (quote may not be 100% acccurate) (Tennis balls may have been smaller in those days, perhaps) I do not know offhand if it is available as a podcast (but should be on iPlayer) but this week BBC Radio 4 is serialising Samuel Pepys diary. Yesterday’s episode included a section about him describing to his friends (regaling them with his anecdote) how his stone was extracted “I was bound and gagged and …. they went up through the cods …..   and it was the size of a tennis ball” (quote may not be 100% acccurate)

(Tennis balls may have been smaller in those days, perhaps)

]]> By: Infontology http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235616 Infontology Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235616 Marin Marais composed "Le tableau de l'operation de la taille" as an account of such a self-experienced operation. Here in an English language version on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/1wgelRexzQauShOdptwaqW  Marin Marais composed “Le tableau de l’operation de la taille” as an account of such a self-experienced operation. Here in an English language version on Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/track/1wgelRexzQauShOdptwaqW 

]]> By: Culturedropout http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235553 Culturedropout Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235553 Hey - if you had a "wooden staff" up your John-Thomas, your gland would be laying down too... Hey – if you had a “wooden staff” up your John-Thomas, your gland would be laying down too…

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235456 Antinous / Moderator Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235456 <blockquote>Like, say, a unicorn.  :-)</blockquote> Coprolites are unicorn poo?

Like, say, a unicorn.  :-)

Coprolites are unicorn poo?

]]> By: Festus http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235076 Festus Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235076 Drink water. Drink it now. Drink water. Drink it now.

]]> By: Teirhan http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235074 Teirhan Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:59:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235074 <blockquote>In the 18th century, one man reported drove a nail through his penis and then used a hammer to break apart the stone so he could pass it through his urethra. </blockquote> Ok, that's the second most horrible thing I've read today. (and how did i miss that on my first readthrough of the article!?) I need to stop reading this thread (but we all know I won't).

In the 18th century, one man reported drove a nail through his penis and then used a hammer to break apart the stone so he could pass it through his urethra.

Ok, that’s the second most horrible thing I’ve read today. (and how did i miss that on my first readthrough of the article!?)

I need to stop reading this thread (but we all know I won’t).

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235064 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235064 For about a week afterward, I would have a spasm in that brutalized ureter about once a day and end up taking 6 percodan.  I still have the occasional minor spasm 30 years later. When I was in the ER with the stone, I had 500 mg of Demerol IV and 50 mg of Phenergan (which potentiates the Demerol) in three hours.  Horse doses, but those of us with Scottish DNA do seem to soak up the intoxicants with great efficiency. For about a week afterward, I would have a spasm in that brutalized ureter about once a day and end up taking 6 percodan.  I still have the occasional minor spasm 30 years later.

When I was in the ER with the stone, I had 500 mg of Demerol IV and 50 mg of Phenergan (which potentiates the Demerol) in three hours.  Horse doses, but those of us with Scottish DNA do seem to soak up the intoxicants with great efficiency.

]]> By: Lindsey Fitzharris http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1235006 Lindsey Fitzharris Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1235006 In the 18th century, one man reported drove a nail through his penis and then used a hammer to break apart the stone so he could pass it through his urethra. To read the entire article, check out http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/the-chirurgeons-casebooks-1-2/ In the 18th century, one man reported drove a nail through his penis and then used a hammer to break apart the stone so he could pass it through his urethra. To read the entire article, check out http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/the-chirurgeons-casebooks-1-2/

]]> By: Anne Hunter http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234995 Anne Hunter Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234995 I can understand why someone would choose surgery without anesthesia to get rid of a kidney stone, for I've had one. It is as bad as they say, and the worst pain I've ever felt. The pain from the spasms was so bad, I would vomit and lose bladder/bowel control simultaneously. I can understand why someone would choose surgery without anesthesia to get rid of a kidney stone, for I’ve had one. It is as bad as they say, and the worst pain I’ve ever felt. The pain from the spasms was so bad, I would vomit and lose bladder/bowel control simultaneously.

]]> By: patrick dodds http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234993 patrick dodds Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234993 I don't suppose any of that hurt much Antinous? I don’t suppose any of that hurt much Antinous?

]]> By: Marco Antonio Morales http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234985 Marco Antonio Morales Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234985 Ouch, dude!!!! - - - Strangely enough, I feel a deep empathic 'survivor' connection to other stone sufferers. A 'you know, and I know - what we both know' type empathy. You piss rocks, you got my respect. Ouch, dude!!!!
- – -
Strangely enough, I feel a deep empathic ‘survivor’ connection to other stone sufferers. A ‘you know, and I know – what we both know’ type empathy. You piss rocks, you got my respect.

]]> By: Dennis Smith http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234969 Dennis Smith Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234969 Yeah, they shit diamonds. Yeah, they shit diamonds.

]]> By: Teirhan http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234943 Teirhan Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234943 Ok, I'm an even sadder panda now.  Ok, I’m an even sadder panda now. 

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234933 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234933 I had a stone in my ureter.  In order to do lithotripsy (blasting with sound waves), they had to insert a catheter and push the jagged rock back through my narrow, little ureter (a procedure called a pushback) until it was in my Ureteropelvic Junction, where it could be blasted.  Then I got to pass the fragments through my scraped up ureter for a few days. I had a stone in my ureter.  In order to do lithotripsy (blasting with sound waves), they had to insert a catheter and push the jagged rock back through my narrow, little ureter (a procedure called a pushback) until it was in my Ureteropelvic Junction, where it could be blasted.  Then I got to pass the fragments through my scraped up ureter for a few days.

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234904 Jim Saul Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234904 Each has been unique for me... that last one I thought was a slipped lumbar disc for a week. I guess I start with that experience, then project "at least it's not a 7 pound baby", even knowing all the reasons that's an irrational comparison. Each has been unique for me… that last one I thought was a slipped lumbar disc for a week.

I guess I start with that experience, then project “at least it’s not a 7 pound baby”, even knowing all the reasons that’s an irrational comparison.

]]> By: Lindsey Fitzharris http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234897 Lindsey Fitzharris Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234897 To see an illustration of this procedure from the 17th century, see the original post on The Chirurgeon's Apprentice: http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/the-chirurgeons-casebooks-1-2/ Enjoy :)  To see an illustration of this procedure from the 17th century, see the original post on The Chirurgeon’s Apprentice: http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/the-chirurgeons-casebooks-1-2/ Enjoy :) 

]]> By: codesuidae http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234883 codesuidae Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234883 > I thought they just shat adorably fluffy kittens that smelled minty fresh with a light citrus overlay I wouldn't mind seeing gif of that. > I thought they just shat adorably fluffy kittens that smelled minty fresh with a light citrus overlay

I wouldn’t mind seeing gif of that.

]]> By: Teirhan http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234882 Teirhan Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234882 i've tried and failed to come up with a cogent response to this article, so here is my original response: eughhhhhhhh. *clutches protectively at his nethers* i’ve tried and failed to come up with a cogent response to this article, so here is my original response:

eughhhhhhhh. *clutches protectively at his nethers*

]]> By: CH http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234807 CH Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234807 Do I remember totally wrong, or wasn't there somebody who did the same to himself? Hmm... gotta go google... back in a sec... Ah, yes... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_de_Doot Kids, don't try this at home! Do I remember totally wrong, or wasn’t there somebody who did the same to himself? Hmm… gotta go google… back in a sec… Ah, yes… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_de_Doot

Kids, don’t try this at home!

]]> By: Ian Wood http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234714 Ian Wood Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234714 Oh! Sort of like a thesis defense, then Oh! Sort of like a thesis defense, then

]]> By: skabob http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234713 skabob Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234713 Should have used Stephen Maturin's suprapubic lithotomy procedure: safe and quick, and only 40% mortality rate. Should have used Stephen Maturin’s suprapubic lithotomy procedure: safe and quick, and only 40% mortality rate.

]]> By: Marco Antonio Morales http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234710 Marco Antonio Morales Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234710 I've known women who have both given birth AND had kidney stones. (One in particular, had both at the same time!) - and they all concede: kidney stones are worse. I've had my share of them, and it's a pain so striking that you are no longer able to think (except the words 'MAKE IT STOP') ... and basically thrown up out of sheer pain when trying to convince the doctor that yes, I'll have some anesthetics now please. I'm thankful I'm born in this century and not earlier, though. I surely hope for a future in which prevention becomes the best cure! I’ve known women who have both given birth AND had kidney stones. (One in particular, had both at the same time!) – and they all concede: kidney stones are worse.

I’ve had my share of them, and it’s a pain so striking that you are no longer able to think (except the words ‘MAKE IT STOP’) … and basically thrown up out of sheer pain when trying to convince the doctor that yes, I’ll have some anesthetics now please.

I’m thankful I’m born in this century and not earlier, though. I surely hope for a future in which prevention becomes the best cure!

]]> By: garyg2 http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234688 garyg2 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234688 Nooo! I have that book right at the top of books to read pile... now I'm all apprehensive... Nooo! I have that book right at the top of books to read pile… now I’m all apprehensive…

]]> By: Lindsey Fitzharris http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234649 Lindsey Fitzharris Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234649 Thanks for spotting this! I have changed it in the original posting on The Chirurgeon's Apprentice! Please read more at http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com  Thanks for spotting this! I have changed it in the original posting on The Chirurgeon’s Apprentice! Please read more at http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com 

]]> By: Lindsey Fitzharris http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234644 Lindsey Fitzharris Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234644 Big thanks to Maggie Koerth-Baker for sharing this article from The Chirurgeon's Apprentice! More gruesome entries about the history of early modern surgery to come! Please read the full story about Stephen Pollard at http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/2011/10/04/cutting-for-the-stone-the-case-of-stephen-pollard/ Big thanks to Maggie Koerth-Baker for sharing this article from The Chirurgeon’s Apprentice! More gruesome entries about the history of early modern surgery to come! Please read the full story about Stephen Pollard at http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/2011/10/04/cutting-for-the-stone-the-case-of-stephen-pollard/

]]> By: Jim Saul http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234640 Jim Saul Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234640 The scenes in Deadwood were pretty hard to watch even without the cutting.  They're not much fun, but I still don't buy the "like giving birth" thing.  Though my youngest here is about ready to start walking on its own. The scenes in Deadwood were pretty hard to watch even without the cutting.  They’re not much fun, but I still don’t buy the “like giving birth” thing.  Though my youngest here is about ready to start walking on its own.

]]> By: imipolex http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234629 imipolex Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234629 This procedure is also depicted in The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. Made me squirm. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thousand_Autumns_of_Jacob_de_Zoet This procedure is also depicted in The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell. Made me squirm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thousand_Autumns_of_Jacob_de_Zoet

]]> By: bigorangemachine http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234628 bigorangemachine Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234628 What has been read, cannot be unread. What has been read, cannot be unread.

]]> By: Mister44 http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234625 Mister44 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234625 OH fuck - oh fuck - oh fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck.... fffffffuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkkk!!!! ETA - this is the illustration that is mentioned in the article. http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/648e163f91cf5f20e075e4d0c576.jpg OH fuck – oh fuck – oh fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck…. fffffffuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkkk!!!!

ETA – this is the illustration that is mentioned in the article. http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/648e163f91cf5f20e075e4d0c576.jpg

]]> By: millie fink http://boingboing.net/2011/10/05/how-to-remove-a-bladder-stone-in-the-days-before-anesthesia.html#comment-1234612 millie fink Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=121817#comment-1234612 One of these days, Kramden, straight to the moon!! One of these days, Kramden, straight to the moon!!

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