Surgical anesthesia makes many medical procedures possible — without anesthesia, many procedures would be too complicated or painful to perform on conscious patients. But for a long time, medical personnel didn’t have access to any sort of anesthesia. Before the 1840s, surgery was only attempted when it was absolutely necessary. Operations were mostly limited to amputations and removal of external growths. Most patients remained conscious and in pain during the procedure, though alcohol or drugs were sometimes used to help relieve discomfort. Can you imagine undergoing surgery wide awake with NO painkillers? I can’t. In 1846, a dentist demonstrated the … Continue reading →