1847
Chloroform in Surgery
Sir James Young Simpson introduced choloroform in anaesthesia in childbirth and was a pioneer of anaesthesia in surgery which meant patients could be given complex longer operations. This opened up the craft of surgery to save many more lives. Following a dinner party at his home in Edinburgh, Simpson presented to his guests this chloroform-filled brandy decanter for experimentation purposes.
For more information: Visit the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Museums website.
Image courtesy of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
