Amputation is nothing new. In fact, we have been removing limbs surgically for thousands of years. Of course, the techniques evolved, and so did the survival rate, but amputation was—and still is—a common medical practice. Yet it's also been anything but a saving grace.
From being performed as punishment to being used as a wartime quick fix, the history of amputation is actually quite brutal. In this gallery, we bring you some gruesome facts about the history of amputation. Click on to learn more.