This BBC site is a good portal into information on plastic surgery as it was improved on in the First World War. Plastic surgery during WWI and WWII is a very interesting topic, to me. I first came across the work and history of Archibald McIndoe and his Guinea Pig Club when I was flipping though a book about pilots at the Shearwater archives. A disfigured face looked out from the page, and it was jarring. Next to it, a reconstructed one. I’ve blogged about McIndoe before, but I can’t help it, I’m so touched by what I read.
So, it’s WWI, and you’ve been hit by shrapnel. It’s WWII and your plane went down, and the engine explodes in your face. That’s where it is, it’s right in front of the cockpit. And they can save you, they know how to do that by this point. But, you’ve lost your face. Your face. And people are used to seeing vets missing an arm or leg, but your face is disfigured, and people react badly, and it doesn’t matter that you offered your life for your country like everyone else.
And then a surgeon comes along, and gives it back. In WWI that might have been Harold Gillies, who developed a new way to do it, as you’ll see on that BBC portal. Or in WWII, it might have been his cousin, Archibald McIndoe, who came in on his heels. And the thing about McIndoe is, he didn’t just put people back together, he didn’t just improve on existing plastic surgery techniques, he reminded them that they were still themselves, that they should be proud of their service, that they had a real life to live. He understood that friendship was important, and support, and he fostered camaraderie among the men. He let them wear their uniforms instead of hospital convalescent garb. He got locals in on it, so the men could come into town and not be met with gasps and stares. And this is huge.
The Guinea Pig Club met up annually until they were old men, and their bonds were strong. And I just think it’s one of the great stories of the heights of science combined with human decency. I will probably talk about it again at some point, who knows.
Go to the BBC site here
Read more about McIndoe here
Watch a documentary here about the history of reconstructive facial surgery by Michael Mosely, featuring both doctors. It’s moving, and fascinating, but I warn, graphic.