Anaesthetics Flashcards
(18 cards)
In what order were the three anaesthetics discovered?
1) Laughing Gas
2) Ether
3) Chloroform
Who first discovered Laughing gas and in what year?
1) Humphry Davy.
2) 1799.
How did Humphry Davy use laughing gas?
As a recreational drug with his friends at parties.
What America dentist used laughing gas in surgery first and in what year?
Horace Wells in the 1840’s.
What made people lose confidence in laughing gas as an anaesthetic?
A public demonstration of laughing gas left the patient in agony.
What American surgeon first used ether to help him remove a neck tumour and in what year?
John Collins Warren in 1846.
List four main problems with the use of ether?
1) It irritated the lungs and eyes.
2) It made patient’s vomit.
3) It was very flammable
4) It was heavy for the surgeons to carry around.
Who realised that chloroform was a better anaesthetic than ether and how was this discovered?
1) James Simpson
2) He tested many different chemicals in his house with his friends.
Who did Simpson use Chloroform on?
Women giving birth.
Who was the first person to die from the use of chloroform and what operation was she having?
1) Hannah Greener.
2) Having an ingrown toenail removed.
Name two problems with laughing gas.
1) It didn’t knock the patient unconscious.
2) It didn’t last long.
Who discovered that too much chloroform could kill you?
John Snow.
What did John Snow develop in order to monitor the dosage of Chloroform?
An inhaler (no longer just splashing a few drops of a lethal chemical onto a handkerchief).
What member of the royal family requested chloroform for the birth of her 8th child?
Queen Victoria.
What affect did Queen Victoria using chloroform have on others?
It persuaded many other to use it.
What were the main reasons for opposition to anaesthetics? (5)
1) Speed no longer necessary.
2) People died from too much of it
3) It was untested and no-one knew of any long term affects.
4) Surgeons took more time increasing risk of infection
5) Religious arguments (God intended pain)
How did chloroform benefit surgery? (2)
1) fewer patients died from shock
2) With more time surgeons could develop surgery deeper into the body (saving more lives).
What happened after Chloroform?
1) people researched how to use it more safely e.g. John Snow.
2) Research led to new anaesthetics which could relax muscles
3) Local anaesthetics were developed.
