Industrial: Surgical Revolution Flashcards
Who was James Simpson?
A Scottish doctor who discovered chloroform as an anaesthetic
When was Simpson’s discovery made?
1847
How did Simpson make his discovery?
1847: was testing numerous substances, knocked over a bottle of chloroform and everyone in the room fell asleep
How was chloroform potentially dangerous? Name an example.
People did not understand dosage.
1848 - Hannah Greener died of an overdose
Who was Joseph Lister?
A Scottish surgeon who pioneered antiseptic surgery
What was Lister’s experiment?
- Performed a surgery on a young boy who had been ran over
- Soaked instruments, dressings, hands, etc in carbolic acid
What did Lister’s experiment show?
Showed how carbolic acid/antiseptic surgery reduced the spread of infection
What is antiseptic surgery?
Preventing infection during surgery through the use of chemicals
What is aseptic surgery?
Preventing infection through sanitation and hygiene
Why were Lister’s findings opposed?
- Not revolutionary
- Germ Theory not accepted
- Unpleasant to use
What was nitrous oxide?
‘Laughing gas’ - used as an anaesthetic
When was nitrous oxide first discovered and who by?
1795 - Thomas Beddoes and Humphry Davy
When was the medical benefit of nitrous oxide discovered?
1844
Who discovered the medical benefit of nitrous oxide?
1844 - American doctor Horace Wells
Why was ether ineffective as an anaesthetic?
Caused side effects - inhaling, vomiting, highly flammable
When did aseptic surgery begin?
Aseptic surgery - 1890s
What happened in aseptic surgery?
Surgical instruments were steam-sterilised
How did surgeons reduce risk of infection in the late 1800s?
Aseptic surgery introduced
1. Steam-sterilisation
2. Surgeons wearing gowns, gloves and masks
