Amputation

Amputate or die.  Yes, infections could set in after amputation, but life is a risk worth taking. Imagine the atrocity of ancient amputation and then the desperate attempts to avoid infections. Cauterize. Yet, that didn't always work.  Gangrene loves to eat flesh and so do maggots.  Open wounds were like a solid combo swell with no wind - surfers seem to think that this is the invitation for everyone and their grandma to surf and this is how maggots felt about open wounds.  I can't even imagine the atrocity of wounds being eaten up by gangrene and maggots.  The only option at this dire state was to rub salt in your wounds, knock on some wood, cross your fingers and drink until you pass out (eh.. maybe not the last one).  Still, life is a risk worth taking, because the options are either amputate with all the risks that accompany, or... die.  Jesus joins in on this disgusting imagery in Mark 9:43.

“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.

For everyone will be salted with fire."  
(verses 44 and 46 were removed due to their extreme lack of appearance in early manuscripts)

So, as you can see this passage reeks of amputation. Jesus is very vivid but for a good purpose.  Don't be stupid, due whatever the heck you can to make sure you enter life.  Take the risk of removing dang darn body parts so that you do not end up with the never-dying, life-eating worm.  Remove anything that causes you to exit from life, even if what you lose seems very important.  Hands and feet are important things and very helpful in everyday matters, but they have no comparison to life.  Your eyes. Your eyes for crying out loud! But still, nothing compared to life.  Life is far too important to miss out on.  Life. Take the risk.