1 janv. 1847 - Early Anaesthetics: Chloroform

Description:

Professor James Simpson, in the process of trying to find a safe alternative to ether that women could take during childbirth, discovered the anaesthetic effects of chloroform with a group of assistants. This was a breakthrough in surgery, with operations able to be performed at a sensible speed and more intricate operations could be attempted. However, chloroform sometimes affected the heart, causing patients to die suddenly.

Despite its success, there was fierce opposition to the use of chloroform. Some feared the possible side effects of the new anaesthetic, and an overdose of it could kill. Others passionately objected to the use of pain relief, claiming that pain was sent by God and that it "improved the moral character of women" (Adam and Eve). However, in 1853, chloroform was used by Queen Victoria during her eighth childbirth - her approval of it was enough to silence critics and put it into general use.

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