General anesthesia

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A drug that brings about a reversible loss of consciousness. These drugs are generally administered by an anesthesiologist in order to induce or maintain general anesthesia to facilitate surgery.... General anesthesia was absent until the mid-1800’s William Morton administered ether to a patient having a neck tumor 1846. •Chloroform used as anesthetic in 1853 by Dr. John Snow Endotracheal tube discovered in 1878 •Thiopental first used in 1934 General anesthesia is essential to surgical practice, because it renders patients: Analgesic Amnesic Unconscious Provides muscle relaxation Suppression of undesirable reflexes. Principles of General Anesthesia No single drug is capable of achieving these effects both rapidly and safely. [Show More]

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