A consideration of the introduction of surgical anæsthesia / by William H. Welch.
- William Henry Welch
- Date:
- [1909]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A consideration of the introduction of surgical anæsthesia / by William H. Welch. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.
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![the onlv trustuorthy sources of knowledge are exact observation and experiment. The great impulse de- rived from the introduction of tlie new methods of physical diagnosis and the systematic anatomical study of disease had shortly before reached this country from France, and was especially active in this city. Kxperimental ])hysiology and j)harmacology had en- tered upon fruitful fields of exploration through the work of Magendie and of Johannes Miiller and their pui)ils. The foundations of cellular pathology were soon to be laid. While it is not apparent that those directly concerned in the discovery of surgical anaes- thesia were influenced by the new spirit and the new ideas, they contributed an aid to experimental research of immeasurable service. It was fortunate indeed for the public demonstration, reception and promotion of the discovery of surgical anaesthesia that it was re- vealed to that able group of surgeons and physicians then connected with this hospital, \vho were imbued with the new scientific spirit and with the best tra- ditions of the profession, and were active in the advancement of the art. A consideration of some interest connected wMth the introduction of surgical anaesthesia is the influence of en\ironment and of material conditions upon dis- covery. Here we find illustrated the fact, of which there are many examples, that apparently adverse surroundings and average intellectual endowment without special scientific training constitute no barrier to the making of discoveries of the highest impor- tance to mankind. The country doctor in Georgia, with only an ordinary general and professional edu- cation, and the two poor and previously unknown dentists of Hartford and of Boston, are the chief](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21204421_0022.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
