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Step into the historical roots preceding the establishment of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) that laid the foundation for 90 years of ASA’s enduring contributions to the field of anaesthesia.

Birth of Anaesthesia

On October 16, 1846, the medical landscape witnessed a groundbreaking moment with the first public demonstration of ether anaesthesia in Boston. This event marked the inception of a revolutionary approach to medical practices, paving the way for the transformative role of anaesthesia in healthcare.

Robert Hinckley, “The First Operation Under Ether,” Harvard Countway Library

Ether Arrives in Australia

News of ether-induced ‘painless surgery’ reached Australia in 1847. This was soon followed by the first administration of ether anaesthetics in the country on June 7, 1847, carried out by Drs Charles Nathan, John Belisario, and William Russ Pugh. Together, these events laid the initial groundwork for the practice of anaesthesia in Australia.

Full-Time Anaesthetist Emerges

 

In 1909, Dr R W Hornabrook assumed the role of the first full-time anaesthetist in Australia. This marked a crucial moment in the professionalisation of anaesthetic care, showcasing the emergence of dedicated experts in the field.

 

 

Dr Hornabrook administering ethyl chloride on a light honeycomb towel to a nine-year-old girl at the Melbourne Dental Hospital, May 8, 1915. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Vol. 27, No. 5, October 1999

Dr Hornabrook administering ethyl chloride on a light honeycomb towel to a nine-year-old girl at the Melbourne Dental Hospital, May 8, 1915.
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Vol. 27, No. 5, October 1999

The Vision for a Society

The visionary Dr Hornabrook, in 1913, made the first suggestion to form a society dedicated to anaesthesia. This forward-thinking proposal laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the ASA.

 

 

Contributions of Dr Geoffrey Kaye

In 1927 a pioneer in the fields of Australian anaesthetics and anaesthetic apparatus design, entered the scene, Dr Geoffrey Kaye. As Australia’s second, full-time anaesthetist, Dr Kaye’s contributions were instrumental in shaping the trajectory of anaesthetic practices in Australia.

Formal Recognition by BMA

The year 1929 witnessed a pivotal moment with the establishment of the first Section of Anaesthetics within the British Medical Association (BMA) in Australia. This formal recognition marked a significant step in acknowledging anaesthesia as a specialised field within the broader medical community in the country.

Written and researched by

Dr Richard J Bailey AM

M.B.B.S. ’56. FANZCA (NSW)