September 1999
Volume 63 |
Number 9
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| Nitrous Oxide
Artifacts Available for Viewing at WLM |
David Clayton, R.N.
As a relative newcomer to the field of anesthesia, I was fortunate
enough to visit the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology (WLM)
and obtain a better understanding of the beginnings and advances
made in the practice of anesthesia. To chronologically mention
the articles relating to nitrous oxide on display at the WLM,
it would be most appropriate to begin with the oil portrait of
Sir Humphry Davy.
The circa 1821 portrait of Sir Humphry Davy was painted
by Sir Thomas Lawrence and is a very impressive and significant
piece for the museum. Davy did numerous studies beginning in 1799
and published several papers on nitrous oxide. In a paper published
in 1800, Sir Davy suggested that it was "not improbable" for nitrous
oxide to be utilized in some surgical situations. It was many
years later, however, before any significant utilization of nitrous
oxide was seen in surgical situations.
Walking from the portrait of Davy, you come to a "safe
passage order" for dentist Horace Wells, signed by Secretary of
State James Buchanan in 1846. Though nitrous oxide had been in
existence for years, it was used mainly for social entertainment.
Wells is given the credit for becoming the first person to utilize
the pain-relieving effects of nitrous oxide in 1844 by having
his own tooth extracted while under the influence of the "laughing
gas." Throughout the year 1845, Wells used the gas in his dental
practice, thus being given the credit by some as the founder of
"modern anesthesia."
S.S. White Dental Oxygen-Gas Apparatus
One of the earliest anesthesia machines on display in
the museum is a circa 1898 "S.S. White Dental Oxygen-Gas Apparatus."
This piece, with the accompanying literature for the apparatus,
is in incredibly good condition. Of interest to me is the fact
that many early advances in anesthesia came from the field of
dentistry. The S.S. White Dental Company made tremendous advances
in the manufacture of nitrous oxide, thus eliminating the need
to manufacture the gas "on site." S.S. White also produced the
first nonfreezing form of nitrous oxide. This significant achievement
eliminated the need to wrap the valves in warm towels, allowing
for more even flow of the gas, thus producing a more stable environment
for the physician and ultimately the patient. The S.S. White Company
is still in existence today and continues to produce dental equipment.
Teter Nitrous Oxid-Oxygen Apparatus
The remainder of the articles relating to nitrous oxide
on display at the WLM demonstrates the advancements made to the
devices for delivering nitrous oxide as well as the other gases
that came about as the years progressed. The earliest machine
available for viewing that utilized the addition of oxygen to
the machine is the Teter Nitrous Oxid-Oxygen Apparatus, circa
1908. Dentist Charles Teter began producing anesthesia machines
in Cleveland, Ohio. Of interesting note is the fact that Teter
was an early advocate for hospitals' generating their own supplies
of nitrous oxide.
Advances occurred rapidly in improving the delivery of gases.
The New Clark anesthesia machine, circa 1910, touted a "one handle
control, thorough mixing chamber, full volume and free flow."
These advances to the dental delivery systems led to the continued
improvements that would revolutionize the gas delivery systems
used in hospitals.
As new inhalational agents became available, the anesthesia
machines changed to accommodate the additional gases. The 1922
Gwathmey-Seattle Portable anesthesia machine on display is the
predecessor of a four-valve machine that would accommodate oxygen,
nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and/or ethylene. This machine is
very compact and portable.
Numerous anesthesia machines on display in the WLM incorporate
the use of nitrous oxide. Despite its awkward beginnings as an
anesthetic, nitrous oxide continues to be a featured gas on new
anesthesia machines today. In addition, nitrous oxide continues
to be a drug of choice in the dental office to put patients at
ease.
This brief article only touches the surface of the vast
amount of historical artifacts available for viewing at the WLM.
Anyone with an interest in the field of anesthesiology should
be encouraged to visit the museum in person. The staff is very
knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. If unable to attend the museum
in person, obtain a copy of its CD and take a "virtual
tour" or visit its Web site and get a feel of what the museum
has to offer.
Many thanks to those who have contributed to the museum
and to those who take the time to preserve the artifacts for all
of us to view and enjoy.
David Clayton, R.N., is a Clinical Research
Nurse, Anesthesia Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
Memphis, Tennessee.
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