[Joseph Weiger and the introduction of anesthesia in Vienna]

The first administration of ether in Vienna was performed by Schuh in 1847. 2 days later also von Wattmann used ether for anaesthesia. Approximately at the same time the nowadays nearly unknown dentist Joseph Weiger began to give ether anaesthesia for dental surgery. He reported in 1850 about his experiences in more than 21,000 operations. A further publication in 1851 gave a survey about the known ether literature.