The Evolution of Anesthesia

A historical exploration of the development of anesthesia in the medical field, including the introduction of ether, nitrous oxide, and chloroform in the 1840s. The chapter discusses the pioneering work of figures like Crawford Long, Dr. William Morton, Dr. Horace Wells, and Dr. James Simpson in revolutionizing surgery through the use of anesthesia. It also addresses the initial resistance within the medical community to adopting anesthesia as a standard practice, highlighting the experimental and sometimes dangerous nature of early anesthetics.