BIRTH(+)FACT(᙮)DEATH(-)

39th year  -  N° 357                 Sunday, 22 December 2024         Antwerpen		
Little Green Moments
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Tuesday 25th of July 1797

227 years ago He Wanted to Get Rid of this Useless Piece of Flesh



39-year-old admiral Horatio Nelson aka 1st Viscount Nelson loses his right arm in the battle during a failed siege and conquest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Islas Canarias, Spain.

The surgeon had been warned of the contingency and got his instruments ready. Nelson was cited as saying, as he pointed to his right arm “Doctor, I want to get rid of this useless piece of flesh here”. Nelson's operation was quick and aseptic. The limb was thrown over board despite the admiral's wish to keep it.