Working quickly was the trick of it. When Samuel Pepys…
““Working quickly was the trick of it. When Samuel Pepys underwent a lithotomy—the removal of a kidney stone—in 1658, the surgeon took just fifty seconds to get in and find and extract a stone about the size of a tennis ball. (That is, a seventeenth-century tennis ball, which was rather smaller than a modern one, but still a sphere of considerable dimension.)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Speed and decisiveness can be crucial in high‑stakes procedures, even when the task is physically demanding.
In simple terms: Quick action can save lives.
Key Takeaway
Act swiftly when needed.
Themes
medicine
history
efficiency
Mood
tenight
urgent
Type
historical
anecdotal
When to use this quote
- emergency surgery
- historical medicine
- skill training
Key Concepts
surgery
decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- How does speed affect accuracy?
- When is haste justified?
A Different Perspective
Rapid action may overlook safety checks.