Dr. Leonid Rogozov operating himself to remove his Appendix in Antarctica (1961)

There are anesthetics that allow you to be awake but numbed to pain. Brain surgery usually has to have the patient awake and talking in order to successfully operate on the right part of the brain.

This was the 60's. The 0 fucks given era.

Perhaps the gloves are a darker color and since the picture is black and white, they seem to match his skin tone.
Or perhaps there are no gloves available. Considering the fact that he's operating on himself, there is probable a shortage of doctors and supplies.