The development of inhalation anaesthesia : with special reference to the years 1846-1900... / [Barbara M. Duncum].

  • Duncum, Barbara M.
Date:
1947
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The development of inhalation anaesthesia : with special reference to the years 1846-1900... / [Barbara M. Duncum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    giving scope for individuality in outlook and in method and making the association between the medical man and his patient a close one. During the nineteenth century individuality in outlook showed itself particularly in a tendency to specialize. The principal shortcomings of the system were a certain lack of co-ordination among the various branches of medicine and allied sciences and a reluctance on the part of physicians and surgeons to adopt major changes in traditional procedure such, for example, as Lister's antiseptic method in surgery (see pp. 26-31) and, towards the close of the century, the administration of anaesthetics otherwise than by inhalation (see pp. 38-50). Partly because English constitutional government was funda- mentally sound, partly because England commanded a world market for her goods which brought increased prosperity at a critical juncture, she was able to control the democratic demands of her people and to initiate reform gradually. On the Continent of Europe such political and economic advantages were either less positive or were non-existent; during the course of 1848 the social and political grievances of many Continental peoples reached a pitch of intensity which the machinery of government could not control and the situation deteriorated into widespread revolt. In France the climax came in February 1848, when the monarchy of Louis Philippe was overthrown and the Second Republic, under the presidency of Louis Napoleon, was set up. By 1852, however, the revolutionary spirit had given place to reaction and Louis Napoleon was made Emperor by popular election. For eight years his rule was autocratic ; his aim was to appease the people through the aggrandisement of France herself. He developed industry and trade and invested the national wealth in impressive undertakings such as the erection of public buildings and the construction of docks. Education came once more under the control of the Church and scientific thought was discouraged, except in so far as it might be of practical value in State undertakings. Instead of the intellectual freedom which France had known since the eighteenth century, her people were now encouraged to seek material prosperity. The enhanced prestige which France gained among her neighbours through her part in the Crimean War led Louis Napoleon in 1859 to champion the cause of Italy, with which he had real sympathy, against Austrian domination. A free and united Italy finally emerged from the struggle, but the part which
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