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Surviving multi‐trauma in the past
Author(s) -
Cornish Brian,
Solomon Lucian Bogdan,
Walshe Keryn
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2010.05527.x
Subject(s) - medicine , humerus , bioarchaeology , general surgery , surgery , archaeology , history
Background: Surviving multi‐trauma is strongly associated with emergent resuscitation and treatment in modern medical facilities. Multi‐trauma survival before the advent of modern medicine is likely to have been extremely uncommon, particularly in primitive societies. The aim of this study was to investigate the case of an ancient Australian Aboriginal who appeared to have survived multi‐trauma. Methods: We investigated the skeletal remains of an adult Australian Aboriginal with healed fractures of the right femur and humerus. The time of death was assessed by carbon dating. The sex and approximate age of the subject were assessed from the skeleton's morphometry. The fractured bones were assessed by visual inspection, plain radiographs and computer tomography (CT) scanning. Results: The remains were of a male aged approximately 50 years at the time of his death, approximately 1000 years ago, preceding European settlement. Analysis of the malunions indicated that all fractures occurred in one traumatic event, normally a life‐threatening injury combination, and that the subject survived for years after this incident, despite no or failed active treatment of his fractures. Conclusions: The survival of a man living in a primitive society after multi‐trauma reflects an impressive depth of nursing and social support in a community of hunter gatherers.