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1Department of Surgery, The Mercer University School of Medicine and the Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia 31201, USA. Nakayama.Don@mccg.org
The American Surgeon
|April 12, 2013
Summary
The first documented pediatric ether anesthesia occurred on January 8, 1845, not earlier as commonly cited. This finding clarifies the history of pediatric anesthesia.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Anesthesiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Historical accounts credit Crawford Long with the first pediatric ether anesthesia on an 8-year-old slave.
- Long's own records lack specific patient ages, creating ambiguity in historical claims.
Discussion:
- Federal censuses from 1840 and 1850 provide age data for unnamed male slaves, identifying two potential patients.
- One candidate was 22 years old; another was a child under 15, noted by a student of Long's.
Key Insights:
- The earliest reliably documented pediatric anesthetic using ether was administered on January 8, 1845.
- Limitations in census data and Long's records necessitate careful interpretation of historical claims.
Outlook:
- Understanding the precise timeline of early pediatric anesthesia is crucial for historical accuracy.
- The rapid adoption of ether anesthesia for children post-1846 highlights its significance.
