The Horrors of Surgery Before Energy

Season 1 Episode 4

About the Episode

Before modern energy, surgery in hospitals was a nightmare. Doctors would drip hot wax from candles into open wounds. Patients might survive the surgery but would frequently die from infection during recovery. After modern medicine gained electricity, fossil fuels for plastics and pharmaceuticals, running hot water and stainless steel, surviving surgery became more likely.

Aired: | Expires: | Runtime: 1m 42s

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Extras

Globalization and Energy

U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and others on the 1970s energy crisis.

2:47
Shipping Ports and Energy

Energy is critical to the Port of Los Angeles.

2:11
Teen Culture: Driven By Energy

Oil changed the way we moved about -- and the products teenagers wanted.

1:24
Art and Oil Fortunes

Do we owe our enjoyment of art and antiquities to oil fortunes?

4:10
Streaming vs. Physical Media

The energy implications of owning vinyl vs. streaming music.

2:02
Energy for Sports and Entertainment

As fans flock to football stadiums, energy is consumed. How much?

2:14
Energy Transitions and the Workforce

Do energy transitions have a negative impact on workers?

3:13
Power Grid Disasters

Wall Street Journal Reporter Katherine Blunt explains the California Wildfires.

2:47
Energy In Space

Astronaut Charles Bolden describes his personal experience of launching into space.

3:37
Space Preview

Modern energy takes us on a journey to the final frontier.

0:30