Surgery 1799-1850: Anaesthetics Flashcards
Who discovered Nitrous oxide?
Humphrey Davis in 1799
Who first used Nitrous oxide in a medical setting?
Horace Wells: Performed a show in 1844 in which he attempted to remove a tooth using Laughing Gas. The audience of students in the surgical theatre jeered “humbug” at him when the patient shouted out in pain as the gas was improperly registered.
Who discovered Ether?
William Morton was the first person to use it in a medical practice as a dentist in 1846. He was an American.
Who first used Ether in British surgery?
Robert Liston. He amputated a leg whilst the patient was knocked out.
Who discovered Chloroform?
Dr James Simpson in 1847. He was knighted for this discovery.
Why were people opposed to anaesthetics originally?
- People did not know the correct dosage and were afraid of the consequences. For example Hannah Greener died from an overdose whilst having an ingrown toenail
- People were opposed for a many religious reasons, eg spiritual connection during childbirth and pain is important
- Speed became less important
- More people died from infection at first because surgeons would do more complicated procedures
What are the positives and negatives of laughing Gas?
+Reduces pain for the patient
- It left them still conscious, therefore making it possible for it not to work
How was the problem of dosage solved?
John Snow created an inhaler in 1847 to regulate dosage of chloroform.
Why did people begin to accept chloroform?
Queen Victoria delivered her eighth child in 1853 with the help of chloroform.
