Hospitals From Hell Flashcards
Due to the lack of anaesthetics before 1846, why did many people die during surgery?
Shock
Before 1846, how did patients have to undergo surgery?
They had to be completely awake
Who discovered ether (the first anaesthetic)?
William motson, an American dentist
When did William Motson discover ether?
1846
Who discovered ether?
William Motson
What was the problem with ether?
Caused side effects such as vomiting and irritation
Who discovered chloroform?
James Simpson, a Scottish doctor
What did james Simpson discover?
Chloroform
Did chloroform have any side effects?
Nope
Why wasn’t chloroform accepted at first?
Unknown long term side effects
Went against religion as pain was natural and expected at childbirth
At first, doses were unknown so some people died of overdoses
Some people were allergic (a woman died after an operation on her toe due to a reaction to chloroform)
When did chloroform finally gain acceptance?
When Queen Victoria used it during childbirth
Explain the long term effects of anaesthetics?
Made operations more comfortable for patients
Reduced deaths from shock
Before anti septics were discovered, doctors became complacent with much more time during operations which increased the risk of infections
Who discovered carbolic acid?
English doctor, Joseph Lister
What was carbolic acid used for?
Anti septic
How was carbolic acid discovered?
Joseph Lister applied Pasteur’s germ theory (it had to have been discovered after germ theory)
