Happy 90th birthday to the Australian Society of Anaesthetists!

In this episode, I try my hand at being a historian. We revisit the discovery of modern anaesthetic agents and have a peak into the Ether Dome. Dr William Morton is widely credited as being the discoverer of modern anaesthesia, but did he work alone or with others? You may have heard of Dr Horace Wells and Dr Crawford Long. What was their role and what became of them?

With the help of ASA President Dr Mark Sinclair and Past ASA Presidents Drs Don Maxwell, Bob Hare and Greg Deacon, I discuss the significance of the forming of the ASA and some of the milestone events. We gain a deeper insight into the practice of anaesthesia over the years and the crucial role that the ASA has played in developing a high standard of anesthesia and improving patient safety in Australia. We also delve into the personal side of the ASA, particularly one of the founders, Dr Geoffrey Kaye and the separating of ways that occurred between Dr Kaye and the ASA. Was it ever able to be mended?

All of these stories and more are packed into this bumper episode.

To feedback on the podcast, please contact me on podcast@asa.org.au

While I take a short break, feel free to listen to these related episodes:

My full conversation with Past President Dr Don Maxwell:

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/b94ca3a2-cbc9-407c-a29b-a579ac16c34d/EP85-Dr-Don-Maxwell-Part-1-AAP-converted.mp3

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/5325f0ca-7402-4092-bc0b-0ae8c08c27a7/EP86-Dr-Don-Maxwell-Part-2-AAP-V1-converted.mp3

Episodes from webAIRS, the binational anaesthesia incident reporting system:

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/5940c2ae-2f7a-4174-ad3a-869ac46ccc64/ASA-2054.mp3

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/f4cc8ce3-390c-42f2-8e3f-d44917dfdba1/EP57-20Lingual-20Nerve-20Injury-20AAP-20.mp3

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/cf949d95-0e23-4fc7-bded-e54dabe7c75d/EP79v2-jaw-dislocation-AAP.mp3

A first hand account of being an anaesthetist with a substance use disorder:

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/a77b030a-5fbd-4b91-b5ef-4802588ac039/default-tc.mp3

I hope you are enjoying the birthday festivities!