Full Description
Written by two anaesthetists, one British and one American, this unique book focuses on the transatlantic story of anaesthesia. The authors have both worked at the two hospitals where the first general anaesthetics for surgery were given in 1846, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts and University College Hospital, London. Each with more than fifty years' experience of working in anaesthesia, they combine their knowledge and expertise to offer a fresh outlook on the development of anaesthesia through the ages.
This highly informative and intriguing text details the origins of anaesthesia, outlines the different techniques of anaesthesia and traces its progress with illuminating and enlightening commentaries. This is a fascinating book which considers the role key figures have played in developing anaesthesia including, Queen Victoria, William Morris, La Condamine, Bjorn Ibsen and Henry Beecher.
Broken down into four sections, which are divided into easy-to-read chapters and filled with top quality photographs, this book makes compelling reading. It is recommended to all those interested in the history and development of medicine through the ages, and is of particular interest to anaesthetists. More than just the science of anaesthesia, this is the story about the people and personalities who have made anaesthesia what it is today.
Contents
Biographical notes
Preface
Acknowledgements
PART 1: ANAESTHESIA: THE FIRST 100 YEARS
1. In the beginning
2. Local anaesthesia: Karl Koller, Sigmund Freud and cocaine
3. Entering the 20th century
PART 2: PROFESSIONALISM IN ANAESTHESIA: THE RELUNCTANT UNIVERSITIES AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR
4. Ralph Waters pursues a vision (and succeeds)
5. The Morris Motor Company and the origins of academic anaesthesia in the UK
6. The impact of the Second World War
7. Henry Beecher, John Bonica and the treatment of pain
8. Curare: the Indian arrow poison
9. Spasms and convulsions: the role of curare
10. Curare transforms anaesthesia
PART 3: NEW HORIZONS: THE SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND OF ANAESTHESIA AND THE ENERGENCE OF INTENSIVE CARE
11. 'Physiological trespass': the reduction of surgical bleeding and the control of other body systems
12. The anaesthetist and the fever hospital
13. From poliomyelitis to intensive care
14. The tools of intensive care: mechanical ventilators and blood gas analysis
15. Anaesthesia for surgery of the heart
16. Resuscitation of the apparently dead
17. The search for a better inhalation agent
18. The pursuit of safety
19. The fast track: sedation and day-case surgery
PART 4: THE RELIEF OF PAIN IN CHILDBIRTH AND THE CARE OF THE NEWBORN
20. Pain relief for the woman in labour
21. Anaesthesia for obstetric procedures in the UK
22. Virginia Apgar and the care of the newborn
PART 5: ANAESTHESIA YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
23. Anaesthesia yesterday, today and tomorrow
