I wish I could see what the surgery was and can you describe anything you see about the man on the table (other than he is an African man.) Can't specify an African American unless there is something in the picture that tells us this was originally from USA.
I have tried to find a Doctor Joe or Joseph Paull, Black Americana surgery, Cathie (artist, caricaturist) with no results.
I was thinking it resembled late 1800's to early 1900's. A famous/historical surgery?
What is the age of the book it was in? Title of Book, etc.