Anaesthetics

Question 1

Who Discovered Nitrous oxide?

Answer 1

Sir Humphrey Davy

Question 2

What year was Nitrous oxide discovered?

Answer 2

1799

Question 3

What was the common opinion on Nitrous oxide?

Answer 3

It reduced the pain suffered by patients but it did not completely stop their pain. This meant that its impact was limited.

Question 4

What famous British surgeon used Ether?

Answer 4

Robert Liston

Question 5

What year was Ether used in Britain first by Robert Liston?

Answer 5

1847

Question 6

What was the common opinion on Ether?

Answer 6

Advantages:
It worked better than Nitrous oxide as it made the patient unconscious.

Disadvantages:
Ether was an irritant which caused coughing and sickness. It was also very liable to catch fire.

Question 7

Who discovered Chloroform?

Answer 7

James Simpson

Question 8

What year was Chloroform first used?

Answer 8

1847

Question 9

When did Chloroform become popular?

Answer 9

After Queen Victoria used it during her eight childbirth in 1853.

Question 10

Who invented a special inhaler to calculate the dosage of Chloroform?

Answer 10

John Snow

Question 11

What was the main problem using Chloroform?

Answer 11

Too much could kill a patient and give them a heart attack. Too little and it would have no affect.

Question 12

Why did some people oppose anaesthetics?

Answer 12

1. Some Christians believed that pain, particularly in childbirth, was part of Gods plans for humans.
2. Lots of people opposed new ideas and medicines.
3. Hannah Greener Died during an operation in 1848 whilst her toenail was being removed after being given a dosage of Chloroform. This scared many surgeons and patients.
4. New anaesthetics meant surgeons could do deeper operations causing more deaths as blood loss and infection had not been solved.
5. Some doctors thought an unconscious patient was more likely to die than one screaming.