[Spinal anesthesia using a strychnine-stovaine combination in Spain]

Since, in 1898, Augustus Bier developed the injection of anesthetic agents in the intradural space following Corning's technique, there have been many changes in the technique to the present day. One of the most popular was rachi-striene-stovainization, which was introduced by Jonnesco and attempted to replace general anesthesia (general rachianesthesia). We describe the original technique, its development and the modifications introduced by two Spanish physicians, Drs. Sagarra and Bartrina. We also discuss its advantages and drawbacks.