Problem #1 - Pain Flashcards
Why was Nitrous Oxide an ineffective anaesthetic?
It didn’t ‘knock the patient out’ or make them unconscious, it just made them less aware of the pain. But they could still feel it!
What were the problems associated with the use of Ether as an anaesthetic?
- It was highly flammable.
- It irritated the lungs and throat, making patients vomit and cough during operations.
- It could kill the patient.
- It could cause heart problems.
- It could put the patient into a deep sleep for days.
Why was Ether being flammable such a problem at the time?
Operating theatres were lit by candle or open flame from a gas light - open flames and flammable gases don’t mix well!
How did James Simpson discover that Chloroform was an effective anaesthetic?
He was testing and sniffing chemicals with friends at home one evening and realised when they all woke up on the floor, after sniffing Chloroform, that it was an effective and powerful anaesthetic.
What were the issues with Chloroform as an anaesthetic?
- Easy to overdose on.
- Hard to judge how much to give - amount needed varies from person to person.
- Could cause heart problems.
On average, how much chloroform was needed to anaesthetise the average person, and how much could kill them?
A third of a teaspoon could ‘knock you out’. Half a teaspoon could kill you.
How was the problem of overdosing on Chloroform solved, and who solved it?
John Snow created the Chloroform inhaler, which made Chloroform completely safe. After its invention, there were no more deaths caused by Chloroform.
Why did some people oppose the use of anaesthetics?
- They thought that God had created us to feel pain, especially during child birth.
- They were scared to use it due to the after effects or problems of some anaesthetics.
- Doctors didn’t like having to move around all the heavy equipment that went with using anaesthetics.
- Some people just don’t like change.
- Some doctors thought it was better to keep the patient awake, as that way you knew that the patient was still alive as they were screaming!
Why did the introduction of anaesthetics lead to an increase in the number of deaths after surgery?
Because patients were now asleep, they no longer had to be held down, doctors didn’t have to rush, and therefore took longer. They also could now carry out more complex operations, meaning that the patient was on the operating table for longer, and therefore more exposed to the risks of the problem of bleeding and infection. Therefore more people died from infection after anaesthetics were used than before.
What is the ‘Black Period’ of surgery?
The period after the introduction of anaesthetics when the death rate increased due to the higher chance of infection and blood loss because operations took longer etc.
What is Nitrous Oxide also known as?
Laughing gas.
