The decade from 1964 to 1973 marked significant changes and advancements within the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and the field of World Anaesthesia, coinciding with the Vietnam War era.
Australian Society of Anaesthetists
In 1969, Dr Ben Barry proposed the appointment of a full-time secretary and the establishment of a secretariat in the state where the Honorary Federal Secretary resided. This proposal received unanimous support. In 1970, Miss Suzanne G Butterworth was appointed to the position at 86 Elizabeth Bay Road in Sydney, NSW, thanks to a space offered by a private practice anaesthetic group.
By 1972, the ASA AGM agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Sydney, making 86 Elizabeth Bay Road the second Headquarters and the first permanent secretariat for the ASA. This location was pivotal, with seven dedicated, dynamic and productive Federal Presidents emerging from this group.
World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA)
On the global front, the WFSA (of which the ASA had been a founding member in 1955) played a significant role. The 1964 World Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, saw official Australian delegates Drs Roger Bennet and Graham Cumpston in attendance. Dr Bennett, elected Vice President of the ASA, sadly passed away in 1967 while still in office. In 1968, Professor Douglas Joseph was elected to the Executive Committee of the WFSA and later as Vice President. The 1970 World Congress in Canberra, Australia, marked a major milestone with 700 attendees, including 253 visitors from 32 countries, showcasing the ASA’s global standing.
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Journal
In the realm of scholarly communication, the ASA took a significant step with the launch of the “Anaesthesia and Intensive Care” journal in 1972, under the leadership of Dr Ben Barry. The editorial committee consisted of distinguished professionals such as Allan Bond (Hobart), Teresa O’Rourke-Brophy (Brisbane), Kester Brown (Melbourne), Noel Cass (Melbourne), Brian Dwyer (Sydney), Graham Fisk (Sydney), Miller Forbes (Perth), Don Harrison (Sydney), Douglas Joseph (Sydney), James Loughman (Sydney), John Mainland (Melbourne), and Maurice Sando (Adelaide). The journal’s inception marked a significant milestone in advancing anaesthesia research and practice.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War era presented unique challenges and opportunities for anaesthesia practices. Beginning in 1963, Australian and New Zealand civilian surgical teams entered South Vietnam, caring for the civilian population amidst infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and war-related injuries. The Australian team operated at Long Xuyen Hospital, while the New Zealand team was stationed at Qui Nhon Hospital. Anaesthesia was provided by local medics and technicians, many of whom were trained and supervised under Australian anaesthetists. The EMO (Epstein-Mackintosh-Oxford) Vaporizer emerged as a crucial anaesthetic machine, known for its ease of use, accuracy, robustness, and portability, basically requiring only air, ether and water to operate – ideal for situations such as war zones.
Qui Nhon Hospital Lambretta Ambulance, Vietnam 1967
Qui Nhon Hospital dinner time, Vietnam 1967
The EMO (Epstein-Mackintosh-Oxford) Vaporizer
Written and researched by
Dr Murray Selig