Barney the Bungler

The scandal that arguably made the Lancet

Bransby Blake Cooper, acquiring gold coins by his appointment to Guy's Hospital, is attacked by a lancet, representing the journal The Lancet and its editor Thomas Wakley. Coloured etching by W. Heath (Paul Pry), 182-. (Wellcome Images, Public Domain)

In March 1828, Thomas Wakley broke the story that would catapult him and his publication, the Lancet, to fame.

Here’s the top line of the story: surgeon Bransby Cooper botched a simple bladder stone removal. It should have taken him a matter of moments, but the poor chap panicked and took an entire hour, at the end of which the (otherwise healthy) patient died.