Surgery and Anaesthetics in the 19th Century

The 19th century saw dramatic advances in surgery. Three critical problems had to be overcome: pain, infection, and blood loss. The development of anaesthetics, antiseptics, and later blood transfusions transformed surgery from a last resort into a life-saving practice.

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Surgery Before Anaesthetics

Before the 1840s, surgery was a terrifying experience.

Problem	Detail
Pain	No effective pain relief; patients were conscious during operations
Speed	Surgeons had to work as fast as possible; the best could amputate a leg in under 30 seconds
Shock	Many patients died from the trauma of the operation itself
Restraint	Patients had to be physically held down by assistants
Limited procedures	Only surface operations were possible; internal surgery was too dangerous

Key Term: Anaesthetic --- a substance that causes loss of sensation or consciousness, allowing surgery to be performed without pain. The word comes from the Greek anaisthesia, meaning "without feeling."

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The Discovery of Anaesthetics

Key Developments