A trained surgeon is also a potential killer, and an important bit of the training lies in accepting the fact. Your intent is entirely benign - or at least you hope so - but your are laying violent hands on someone, and you must be ruthless in order to do it effectively. And sometimes the person under your hands will die, and knowing that . . . you do it anyway.
In "Written in My Own Heart's Blood," Diana Gabaldon explores the duality of a surgeon's role, highlighting the inherent danger in their practice. A surgeon, trained to save lives, carries the heavy burden of the possibility of taking one. This complexity reveals the harsh reality that despite a surgeon's intentions, they must confront the potential consequences of their actions, which can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes.
Gabaldon's insight emphasizes that effective surgery requires a certain ruthlessness. Surgeons must penetrate the human body with skill and decisiveness, knowing that each procedure involves risk. This stark acknowledgment of mortality shapes a surgeon's mindset as they navigate the fine line between life and death, accepting the potential for loss while striving to heal.