Blessed Days of Anaesthesia

How anaesthetics changed the world

Nonfiction, History, British, Health & Well Being, Medical, Science & Nature, Science
Cover of the book Blessed Days of Anaesthesia by Stephanie J. Snow, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephanie J. Snow ISBN: 9780191622342
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: September 10, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Stephanie J. Snow
ISBN: 9780191622342
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: September 10, 2009
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Stuart Britain: A Very Short Introduction by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book When Children Kill Children by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book What is Life? by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Social Psychology: A Very Short Introduction by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Ether and Modernity by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book The Liability of Internet Intermediaries by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Selected Writings by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Love, Friendship, and the Self by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Occupational Health by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Reading Beyond the Code by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book The Hidden Chorus by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Ottonian Queenship by Stephanie J. Snow
Cover of the book Kant and the Philosophy of Mind by Stephanie J. Snow
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy