This dynamic decade, shaped by dedicated leaders and a collective commitment to excellence, propelled the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) to consolidate its position, elevate standards, and champion the welfare of anaesthetists nationwide.
Forging a New Era
In the aftermath of World War II, anaesthetists recognised the necessity for organisation and education, navigating challenges and embracing new advancements. The ASA and anaesthetists played a vital role during the war, contributing expertise to the medical efforts and fostering valuable skills that would later shape the post-war regeneration of anaesthesia practices.
The decade 1944 to 1953, the second decade of the ASA , saw enormous development and change as anaesthesia itself matured. Anaesthetists and others saw the need for organization and education. In 1944, there were few clinicians who earned their living solely from anaesthesia. Mostly general practitioners referred patients, and often gave the anaesthetic themselves if surgery was required. A few hospitals, mostly the major teaching hospitals in the metropolitan areas, began to appoint clinicians to administer the anaesthetics but many of these too had limited experience.
Anaesthetic agents available had expanded by this time but were still very limited and mainly involved ether, chloroform, nitrous oxide, cyclopropane and trilene with some local anaesthetics and spinal anaesthetics. Intravenous anaesthesia with agents such as thiopentone was still in its infancy (thiopentone was first used in quantity at Pearl Harbor in 1941) and muscle relaxants such as curare were beginning to be used with some cases along with endotracheal intubation.
Oxygen and nitrous oxide cylinders made by Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd. CIG was a key manufacturer and developer of anaesthetic equipment in Australia until the 1990s. Image: State Library of Western Australia.
Dr. Geoffrey Kaye (top left) lecturing in the 1950s. Image: Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History.
Overcoming the Tyranny of Distance and Crafting a New Structural Identity
In an era marked by the vastness of Australia and limited connectivity, the ASA faced the challenges posed by the ‘tyranny of distance’. Communication hurdles were overcome as the Society, led by dedicated individuals, sought innovative ways to connect anaesthetists across the expansive landscape. The practice of anaesthesia post WWII had rapidly changed since the Society’s beginnings in 1939 – there were new agents, new techniques, new faces, new voices and new numbers.
The Society had been founded in 1934, with Geoffrey Kaye as Secretary and Gilbert Brown as President. In March 1935, when the first list of members was published there were 34 members:
9 from Victoria and South Australia, 8 from Western Australia, 5 from New South Wales and 3 from Queensland.
Membership grew later in all states, including Tasmania, and by 1948, just after WWII, there were 87 members but only 15 had a diploma in anaesthetics. They were all desperate to learn.
In these early days the Society was affected by “the tyranny of distance”. Australia is a huge country. Its capital cities were widely separated and accessible only by sea. Easy travel between states by air and rail was yet to come. Meetings between states were therefore very difficult to arrange. Communications were mainly by mail. The Secretary of the Society, Geoffrey Kaye, was based in Melbourne. He was a powerhouse, very knowledgeable, detailed orientated and dedicated. He had an MD from Melbourne and gained his English Diploma of Anaesthesia in 1939, and was widely travelled and idealistic. He was an honorary anaesthetist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Establishing State Autonomy
With a fervent focus on education, the ASA passionately pursued higher standards for anaesthetists. Membership tripled from the initial 34 members in the previous decade, with an increasing number seeking diplomas in anaesthetics. The Society’s dedication to quality education laid the foundation for professional excellence.
One of the stated objectives of the Society was the education of anaesthetists, which was then being carried out by various state post graduate committees in conjunction with universities. It was essential in the eyes of the Society that the standard of teaching and examinations should be uniform throughout Australia. Negotiations to fulfill this objective occupied the Executive for the next four years culminating in foundation of the Faculty of Anaesthetists within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
The Society along with the rest of the profession was concerned with the issue of nationalization and decided to affiliate with the British Medical Association (as there was no Australian Medical Association until the 1960s), which gave it some access to negotiations for policy, standards, pay and training but this step did mean some loss of autonomy. At the AGM in 1946, the most important of all subjects was raised and discussed: the question of a pan-Australian higher degree in Anaesthetics.
Growing Membership
With a fervent focus on education, the ASA passionately pursued higher standards for anaesthetists. Membership tripled from the initial 34 members in the previous decade, with an increasing number seeking diplomas in anaesthetics. The Society’s dedication to quality education laid the foundation for professional excellence.
One of the stated objectives of the Society was the education of anaesthetists, which was then being carried out by various state post graduate committees in conjunction with universities. It was essential in the eyes of the Society that the standard of teaching and examinations should be uniform throughout Australia. Negotiations to fulfill this objective occupied the Executive for the next four years culminating in foundation of the Faculty of Anaesthetists within the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
The Society along with the rest of the profession was concerned with the issue of nationalization and decided to affiliate with the British Medical Association (as there was no Australian Medical Association until the 1960s), which gave it some access to negotiations for policy, standards, pay and training but this step did mean some loss of autonomy. At the AGM in 1946, the most important of all subjects was raised and discussed: the question of a pan-Australian higher degree in Anaesthetics.
Navigating the Space Challenge
Navigating the complexities of securing a headquarters, the Society initially found its home this decade at 49 Mathoura Rd Toorak, Melbourne. This marked the hub for meetings, lectures, and the Museum of anaesthetic equipment. Under Dr Geoffrey Kaye’s leadership, centralising in Melbourne marked a pivotal phase, cementing the Society’s structure and presence. Geoffrey Kaye had enormous influence. He instituted a regular newsletter, which was a medium for exchange of information, and a precursor to the Society journal, that was to come later.
Further reading
- Wilson, G. (1987). Fifty years : the Australian Society of Anaesthetists 1934-1984. Australian Society of Anaethetists, Edgecliff, N.S.W.
- Wilson, G. (1996). One grand chain : a history of anaesthesia in Australia 1846-1962. Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Melbourne.
Written and researched by
Donald C Maxwell
Past President ASA (1982-1984)
MB. BS. FFARACS. FFARCS.
FRCA. FANZCA.