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Thanks Robert,

Of course we all know it was just fiction and as you say, done for all sorts of valid dramatic and plot development reasons.My comments were not to be taken too seriuosly, but, if the story had been based on true events, my medical comments stand for those interested.That operation was possible in 1805 or whatever,but highly risky.If, as I suggest, and I think, O'Brian knew, a chronic sub dural rather than an acute epidural hematoma (which develops in days, not weeks) then even more risky. And this was 60 years pre Pasteur/Lister and antiseptic surgery. Even Maturin did not understand bacteriology. Lots of his patients would have died of post op infection following apparently "successful" operations.

O'Brian was a very knowledgable polymath. Some say Maturin was a loosely disguised self portrait!

Francis