A Short Treatise on the Section of the Prostate Gland in Lithotomy With an Explanation of a Safe and Easy Method of Conducting the Operation on the Principles of Cheselden

"A Short Treatise on the Section of the Prostate Gland in Lithotomy" by C. Aston Key is a medical text from the 1800s that explains the surgical operation of lithotomy and hones in on the prostate gland section. The treatise teaches doctors how to conduct lithotomy using the effective and safe methods of surgeon Cheselden; it discusses the medical practices and methods of the time. Key also explains lateral lithotomy, which removes bladder stones, and why anatomical knowledge is needed for this to be successful. He is critical of methods that don't follow Cheselden's principles, and argues that his safe and proven principles should still be used. Key introduces a new tool that he believes will make the procedure safer and easier, and allow surgeons to make more correct incisions. Key uses historical research and his own experiences to try and make outcomes better for patients needing this surgery.