Abstract
Ivlodern advances in medicine and surgery are gratefully
received by the general practitioner. He is glad
to know that Insulin can limit the ravages of diabetes,
that pernicious anaemia is controlled by liver therapy,
but he seldom encounters these diseases. Relief of
pain and discomfort are his constant aim, and advances
in medical science towards this make a special appeal.
'L'he introduction of new drugs for the production of
anaesthesia and pre -anaesthetic narcosis have stimulated
a fresh interest in this subject among general practitioners.
It is for this reason I am prompted to record
my experiences with the older types of anaesthetics, and
to compare them with those of recent introduction.
Following my resident appointment in 1924, I became
anaesthetist assistant to a surgeon, on the staff of a
county hospital, for eighteen months, and since 1925 I
have been a partner in general practice, in a town of
sixty thousand inhabitants. In this practice the
majority of the surgical work has been undertaken by my
partners. Since 1930 I have held the post of honorary
anaesthetist in a hospital of 120 beds. My records cover a period of ten years. During these years my
interest in anaesthesia has increased with the introduction of newer methods. It has further been stimulated
by the pleasure derived from finding the relief
my patients experienced since the introduction of pre-anaesthetic medication.
Since the text books and articles I have studied
are the composition of experts, I can hardly add fresh
clinical observations from my limited experience. My
object in this Thesis is to summarise my findings as a
practitioner, in close touch with my patients before
and after anaesthesia. I shall mobilise my experiences
under the following headings:
1. The peculiar problems of anaesthesia in general
practice.
2. A general review of anaesthesia, with a description
of the drugs used.
5. The requirements of general practice.
4. My own experiences and personal impressions, with
notes from my records of cases.
5. General suggestions and an account of the way in
which the general practitioner may be best
equipped, both in the matter of personal skill
and practical material, in his duty in connection
with anaesthesia.
