Surgery Via Text Message a Success

Normally I would have a problem with a surgeon whipping out his cell in the middle of a life-saving operation, but I'm giving this guy a pass.

It seems that Peace Corps doctor David Nott ran across a boy in the Congo with a particularly... difficult... situation, and ended up amputating his upper arm and shoulder by following directions he received via text message from another doctor in London.

Secretly, I don't know whether I find this encouraging or terrifying. It is not a small part of me that wants to believe surgery is performed exclusively in zero-gravity environments with the help of space-age lasers and Data from 'Star Trek: The Next Generation.' (Yes, I know that's not really that case, I have seen 'Gettysburg,' lay off me...) Either way, I'm in awe of the accomplishment. My hat goes off to the man.