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That's what I am looking for -- what is the definition of surgery ?
I've been looking around and haven't found any definition that seemed satisfying to me -- that fits into the domain that I think of as surgery.
For instance, here's the definition of surgery from cancerweb:
"Any methodical action of the hand, or of the hand with instruments, on the human body, to produce a curative or remedial effect, as in amputation, etc."
hmmm...okay -- that seems like a pretty broad definition.
It would seem to include chiropractic & osteopathic adjustments, giving enemas and putting in catheters.
So -- does surgery necessarily involve "cutting" (be it by knife or laser or such)?
Does surgery generally indicate that anesthesia is used? What about someone who has a cavity filled or a tooth extracted, where anesthesia might not be used? Not to mention the fact that "surgerY' existed as a concept before there was much in the way of anesthesia.?
Or are distinctions made between "dental surgery" and other kinds of surgery?
Okay -- I guess I've thrown out enough ideas and questions.
I'll be fascinated to hear different answers -- and where you got your definition.
Thanks,
Judy
I've been looking around and haven't found any definition that seemed satisfying to me -- that fits into the domain that I think of as surgery.
For instance, here's the definition of surgery from cancerweb:
"Any methodical action of the hand, or of the hand with instruments, on the human body, to produce a curative or remedial effect, as in amputation, etc."
hmmm...okay -- that seems like a pretty broad definition.
It would seem to include chiropractic & osteopathic adjustments, giving enemas and putting in catheters.
So -- does surgery necessarily involve "cutting" (be it by knife or laser or such)?
Does surgery generally indicate that anesthesia is used? What about someone who has a cavity filled or a tooth extracted, where anesthesia might not be used? Not to mention the fact that "surgerY' existed as a concept before there was much in the way of anesthesia.?
Or are distinctions made between "dental surgery" and other kinds of surgery?
Okay -- I guess I've thrown out enough ideas and questions.
I'll be fascinated to hear different answers -- and where you got your definition.
Thanks,
Judy
