Authors
Sajikumar J, Pediatrician, Parabrahma Specialty Hospital, Oachira.
Abstract
Introduction: This article provides a historical overview of anesthesia, tracing its evolution from ancient pain relief remedies to modern sophisticated techniques. It highlights significant milestones, pivotal figures, and key discoveries that transformed surgical practices, often contextualized through medical philately.
Historical Developments: Early forms of pain relief, including herbal remedies like opium and mandrake, are discussed, along with Avicenna’s contributions. The discovery of cocaine as a local anesthetic by figures such as Wöhler, Niemann, Freud, and Koller revolutionized eye surgery. The development of nerve blocks is attributed to pioneers like Halsted, Vishnevsky, and Leriche.
Major Anesthetic Agents and Techniques: The narrative covers the discovery and application of inhalational anesthetics, including nitrous oxide by Priestley and Davy, ether by Long and Morton, and chloroform by Simpson. The introduction of muscle relaxants like curare by Griffith and the evolution of continuous flow anesthetic machines by Henry Boyle are also detailed. Virginia Apgar’s role in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes through anesthesia is acknowledged.
Conclusion: Anesthesia has profoundly transformed medicine, enabling pain-free surgery and expanding its role in critical care and pain management. The article underscores the continuous evolution of anesthetic practices, promising enhanced safety and broader applications, while also noting the unique perspective offered by medical philately in documenting this rich history.