It was inspirational to read about the Maryborough doctor who saved a boy’s life by drilling into his brain with a builder’s tool to relieve pressure.
Country GP Rob Carson made a deep incision in the boy’s head and removed a deadly blood clot.
The boy was not wearing a helmet when he fell off his bike late on Friday while riding outside a friend’s house.
His parents took him to the hospital. Dr Carson kept the boy there for observation and saw his condition deteriorate.
He knew what had to be done, although he had no experience with the procedure, and did it with telephone guidance from a Melbourne specialist.
I remember reading a similar account by Patrick O’Brian in one of his novels involving the fictional Irish surgeon Stephen Maturin. This was apparently adapted for film in Master and Commander.
It is incredible what Dr Carson did.
It also illustrates the importance of having general practitioners in country towns and doctors on call at regional hospitals.
I thought that was a wonderful story as well. The doctor was very modest.