Surgery Timeline

1844- Horace Wells used Nitrous Oxide

1846- Ether used by William Morton

Semmelweiss washed hands in chlorinated water-encouraged medical students to do the same

1847- Simpson used chloroform for the first time (Guthree discovered properties in 1831)

1850's -1870's- Black Period of Surgery- increased number of deaths due to anaesthetics being used more frequently- increased infection and blood loss rates

1853- Alexander Wood discovers the hypodermic needle

1861…