Impact of Simpson & Chloroform Flashcards
1
Q
Why was James Simpson motivated to find a better anesthetic?
A
- Personal experience: witnessed pain in women during childbirth
- Wanted to reduce their suffering
2
Q
What made chloroform more effective than ether?
A
- Quicker to act
- Fewer side effects
3
Q
What was the main problem Simpson had with anesthetics?
A
- Controlling the dose
- Dosage was unreliable
4
Q
Why was the public against Simpson and chloroform?
A
- Religious opposition: childbirth should be painful
- Dangers of not getting dosage right persisted
5
Q
What changed public opinion about the chloroform?
A
- Queen Victoria praised it
- Used it during childbirth
- Became acceptable
6
Q
What consequence arose in the widespread use of chloroform?
A
- Enabled more complex surgeries
- Fatal because problems of infection and blood loss still unsolved
