Ether and Choloform

The turning point was to come on 16^th October 1846, when William T.G. Morton demonstrated the removal of a jaw tumour done painlessly with the patient being anaesthetized with 'Ether'. Following this demonstration, doctors around the world began using ether successfully for different types of surgeries.

The subsequent year saw the introduction of chloroform into anaesthesia and ether and chloroform were used widely throughout the world.

John Snow, a leading anaesthetist in London, administered chloroform to Queen Victoria for the birth of her eighth child, Prince Leopold in1853, for painless labour. Pain-free labour, which was until then considered immoral, gained respectability and it met with the queen's approval. "Dr. Snow gave that blessed chloroform and the effect was soothing, quieting,and delightful beyond measure." She was to receive it again for the birth of Princess Beatrice. The method used by John Snow came to be known as 'chloroform a la Reine'. Meanwhile, refinements in the apparatus used to administer ether to the patient continued to take place.