Anaesthetics Flashcards
Who was James Simpson?
A professor of midwifery, who wanted to find a way to relieve pain during childbirth. This lead to his discovery of chloroform.
Why did people dislike ether?
He disliked ether because it was flammable (dangerous), had a pungent smell, and when inhaled, made the patient cough and vomit.
How did James Simpson go about discovering chloroform?
He tested the effects of different chemicals, recording what each one did and how long the effects lasted for.
Who discovered chloroform?
James Simpson.
What were the medical arguments that caused opposition to Simpson and his discovery? (4)
1) The use of anaesthetics meant speed was no longer important, a factor many surgeons prided themselves over.
2) Chloroform was untested which meant nobody knew about the side affects.
3) Hannah Greener died from it. (1848)
4) The use of anaesthetics meant surgeons could perform longer and deeper surgeries, therefore increasing the amount of blood loss and also infection.
5) The dosage was unknown.
What were the religious arguments that caused opposition to Simpson and his discovery?
1) People were convinced that pain was a blessing from God.
2) Pain benefitted the body and made the stronger.
3) It made women swear.
Who was Humphrey Davy and what did he discover?
He was a Cornish chemist and inventor and accidently discovered nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
What were the benefits and limitations of nitrous oxide (laughing gas)?
Benefit - Made patients less aware of pain.
Limitation - Didn’t make patients fully unconscious.
What were the benefits and limitations of chloroform?
Benefit - When the right dosage was used, it made the patient fully unconscious.
Limitations - Too little and the patient could still feel pain, too much and it could be fatal.
In what year did James Simpson discover chloroform?
1847
What name was given to the years 1847 - 1867, and why was it given one?
The Black Period of surgery was the time between the start of anaesthetics, up until the use of antiseptics.
Why didn’t anaesthetics solve all of the problems in surgery? (3)
1) Deeper surgeries were performed and people were still dying from infection. (no knowledge of Germ Theory)
2) Operation theatres were unsanitary. (people just accepted this)
3) Bandages, as well as sponges, and clothes were not cleaned and were often reused.
What is the difference between a local anaesthetic, and a general anaesthetic?
A local anaesthetic is when the patient is only injected to numb the pain. (nitrous oxide)
A general anaesthetics is when the patient is made unconscious and “sleeps” through the surgery. (chloroform)
When was nitrous oxide (laughing gas) discovered?
Humphry Davy discovered that it made people less aware of pain in 1799.
Who was the first person to test nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for medical purposes?
Horace Wells used it in dentistry, but the effects were not strong enough for efficient use in surgery.
Why was “The Black Period of Surgery” so significant?
The black Period of surgery was a name given to the years between the discovery of anaesthetics and antiseptics. It was significant because surgeons were doing more complex procedures while patients were under anaesthetics, but because antiseptics had not yet been discovered, patients would soon die as a result of infection. Semmilweis’s ideas were
Who discovered ether?
William Morton
