developments of anaesthetics Flashcards
1
Q
nitrous oxide
A
- identified by Humphry Davy in 1799 but he was ignored
- dismissed as a fairground novelty
- dentist Horace Wells did a public demonstration in 1845 but it did not work, it proved nothing.
2
Q
ether
A
- 1842 Crawford Long discovered its anaesthetic qualities but didn’t publish his work
- public demonstration in in 1846 by dental surgeon William Morton
- it is irritant and fairly explosive, so was dangerous to use
3
Q
James Simpson
A
- tried to find a safe alternative that women could take during childbirth
- experimented with chemicals by testing them on himself
4
Q
chloroform
A
- effects discovered by James Simpson in 1847
- took effect more quickly than ether, less was needed
- became widely used after Queen Victoria used it in 1853 for her eighth childbirth.
5
Q
cocaine
A
1884 William Halsted investigated cocaine as a local anaesthetic, but became addicted
6
Q
general anaethesia
A
complete unconsciousness, risky
7
Q
local anaesthesia
A
numbing of the part being treated
8
Q
unhygenic methods that surgeons used
A
- wore the same coats that were stained with pus and dried blood
- could do operations at the patient’s house
- operating instruments were unwashed and dirty
9
Q
early anaesthetics rose death rates, why?
A
> longer operations took place
unconscious patients were easier to operate on
infection more likely
