This book discusses anesthetics, explaining the key findings of natural substances that relieve pain, the effect of ether during the early 1800s, the use of nitrous oxide in a surgical operation, procaine as a local anesthetic, and the modern concept of balanced anesthesia.
General Note
Includes index.
Content Note
Forward -- Introduction: now and then -- Knife and pain -- First steps, false starts -- "no humbug" -- Chloroform and the spread of anesthesia -- New drugs, deliveries, deliverers -- Mixed blessing -- New directions -- Notes -- For further reading.