BLESSED DAYS OF ANAESTHESIA:HOW ANAESTHETICS CHANGED WORLD PAPER: How anaesthetics changed the world

by Stephanie J. Snow

Among all the great discoveries and inventions of the nineteenth century, few offer us a more fascinating insight into Victorian society than the discovery of anaesthesia. Now considered to be one of the greatest inventions for humanity since the printing press, anaesthesia offered pain-free operations, childbirth with reduced suffering, and instant access to the world beyond consciousness. And yet, upon its introduction, Victorian medics, moralists, clergymen, and scientists, were plunged into turmoil.

This vivid and engaging account of the early days of anaesthesia unravels some key moments in medical history: from Humphry Davy's early experiments with nitrous oxide and the dramas that drove the discovery of ether anaesthesia in America, to the outrage provoked by Queen Victoria's use of chloroform during the birth of Prince Leopold. And there are grisly ones too: frequent deaths, and even notorious murders.

Interweaved throughout the story, a fascinating social change is revealed. For anaesthesia caused the Victorians to rethink concepts of pain, sexuality, and the links between mind and body. From this turmoil, a profound change in attitudes began to be realised, as the view that physical suffering could, and should, be prevented permeated through society, most tellingly at first in prisons and schools where pain was used as a method of social control. In this way, the discovery of anaesthesia left not only a medical and scientific legacy that changed the world, but a compassionate one too.

Genres: History, Medicine, Nonfiction, Science, History Of Medicine

226 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2008

Reviews

[Scott]

Stephanie Snow has written an engaging and anecdotal account of the rise of pain relief in the medical world, concentrating on the first half of the Nineteenth Century.

Whilst the author avoids an overly scientific or technical approach this is not at the cost of a reduction in the provision of useful information about the early use of ether and chloroform and the merits of these drugs.

In slightly less than 200 pages Snow uses sufficient first person accounts to paint a broad picture of the gradual embrace of pain management therapies and those who feared and opposed them. In our modern age when the methods of reducing pain are readily available from the nearest pharmacist, graphic accounts of surgery without pain relief are horrific indeed. The reproduction of an account by a woman who had a breast removed whilst fully conscious and without any pain management is sufficient to make anyone be grateful for the work of the medical pioneers. Blessed days indeed...

I must make note however of the number of spelling and grammar issues through the text. A good copy editor would have done wonders in this instance.

[Mandie Lowe]

A very interesting history detailing the discovery and development of anaesthesia. Most of the book focuses on the early history, with only a short chapter devoted to modern anaesthetics.

[Donatella Soul]

Well researched book on a fascinating aspect of history. Chapters focus on anesthesia's development, difficulties, and progress from it's first applications in the 19th century through today. Of great interest are the literary references, doctor's differing views on anesthesia; particularly during the 19th century when women and blacks were considered second class citizens. Women were refused it's benefits as they were considered too weak to handle it; blacks were denied it's benefits as they were seen as beasts, thought to be immune to pain. Blacks were also used for surgical experimentation in the early-mid 19th century, without pain relief. The chapter on military use of anesthesia outlines Florence Nightingale's efforts to run a hospital during the Crimean War; attempting to help injured soldiers in freezing conditions, with floors covered in filth and no supplies. Thanks mostly to the example of the French military, anesthesia was shown to be beneficial on the battlefields. A recommended read, but not for the squeamish - some of the surgical descriptions are directly from patient's and doctor's diaries and records and these folks do not pull punches.

[Nina Thompson]

I wrote my undergraduate thesis on this topic, and there are not many books about it. Snow's is the best. And by that I mean it was my favorite. She definitely makes some claims that are not completely backed up by her evidence, but book presents an intriguing interpretation of a scientific advancement and connects it to general societal changes in a way not many do. Snow elegantly makes medical history social history. Despite the occasional narrative leaps, the humane and insightful treatment of the topic make it a worthwhile and intriguing read.

[Kat]

The progress of science is not something most people think about. We owe the quality of our lives in large part to this progress. This is never more clear than in the case of anaesthesia. Snow's book covers a fascinating topic quite well. However, the pacing dragged a big in places and the book could have used a better editor. Typos abound. These faults are easily overlooked, though, and this is an enjoyable read about the history of medicine.

[Amanda]

Fantastic book about anaesthesia. Very well written and engaging. The author does a great job weaving stories of personal encounters with anaesthesia and the facts that went along with trials and errors.

[Benjamin]

The history of anaesthesia is much more interesting than you might think though it does tend to put people to sleep, (sorry, I couldn't resist).

[Ioannis Savvas]

Μια συνοπτική ιστορία της ανακάλυψης και εξέλιξης των γενικών αναισθητικών. Οι πρωτοπόροι, οι μάχες που έδωσαν, η φιλοσοφία των δύο τελευταίων αιώνων και η τεράστια ώθηση στην εξέλιξη της ιατρικής.