Last updated: 20 February 2012
Saw used to amputate Uxbridge’s leg at Waterloo, 1815
NAM 1960-02-3-1
A surgical saw used to amputate the Earl of Uxbridge's leg at the Battle of Waterloo features in Saul David's BBC Four series 'Bullets, Boots and Bandages: How to Really Win at War'.
Watch a short video about this object
If you’ve been watching the BBC series 'Bullets, Boots and Bandages: How to Really Win at War' with military historian Saul David, you may have spotted a star item from the National Army Museum's Collection. A surgical saw used to amputate the leg of Lieutenant General Henry Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, at the Battle of Waterloo (1815) features in the third episode of the BBC Four series.
Earl of Uxbridge: 'By God, sir, I've lost my leg!'
Duke of Wellington: 'By God, sir, so you have!'
This episode, entitled 'Raising Arms', looks at the ways in which generals have struggled to kit out their armies for battle and how they have paid for it. It also investigates how different equipment and uniform has been adapted to meet the military requirements of the day.
While exploring the increased use of artillery during the Napoleonic Wars, Saul examines the practices of battlefield surgeons and the types of equipment they would have needed to deal with horrific injuries such as those sustained during the battle of Waterloo.
You can watch a short video about this macabre bone saw, or come and see it in our Changing the World gallery where it is displayed next to the surgeon’s bloody glove.
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