| 1846 | – October 16, 1846: William T.G. Morton’s successful demonstration of ether anesthesia in Boston became known as “Ether Day.” |
| – December 16, 1846: A successful trial of ether anesthesia took place in Paris. |
| – December 19, 1846: Anesthesia was administered in both Scotland and London, with one case in London performed by dentist James Robinson. |
| – December 21, 1846: Robert Liston used ether for an amputation in London. |
| – The discovery of anesthesia gained fame and revolutionized surgery, with significant citations in the New England Journal of Medicine. |
| 1847 | – January 23, 1847: Heyfelder administered ether anesthesia in Germany. |
| – Throughout 1847: Ether anesthesia was introduced in several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. |
| – June 7, 1847: Australians William Pugh and John Belisario administered ether anesthesia. |
| – September 27, 1847: James Marriott, a New Zealand instrument maker, administered the first surgical anesthetic in Wellington. |
| – 1847 (Mexican-American War): US and Mexican forces used ether anesthesia. |
| – Late 1847: Peter Parker introduced ether anesthesia into China, using an apparatus supplied by Charles Jackson. |
| – James Simpson, a Scottish obstetrician, discovered chloroform as an alternative to ether for anesthesia in November 1847. |
| – Chloroform quickly gained acceptance in the UK and became known as the “British” anesthetic, while ether remained associated with the United States. |
| – Despite initial resistance and occasional fatalities with chloroform, it gained popularity in various countries. |
| – By the end of 1847, chloroform had replaced ether as the preferred anesthetic in France. |
| – Chloroform and ether continued to be used worldwide, gradually overcoming religious objections and medical skepticism. |
| – Notable instances included Fanny Longfellow (wife of the poet) and Queen Victoria receiving anesthesia during childbirth. |
| – In 1847, researchers Harless and von Bibra proposed a theory that ether and chloroform acted by dissolving lipids in the brain. |
| – Anesthetic choice influenced the development of anesthesia practice, with the US favoring ether and the UK adopting chloroform. |
| – John Snow, a British anesthetist, played a crucial role in advancing the field of anesthesia and is considered one of the greatest anesthetists in history. |
| – Snow’s observations and innovative thinking contributed to our understanding of anesthesia delivery, anesthetic depth, and precise control over anesthetic concentrations. |
