As a medical speciality, anaesthesiology has developed since 400 BCE when poppies and other plants were first used for pain relief. The greatest advances, however, have occurred since the 1840’s with the major advances in pharmacology, physiology and monitoring made since then. This detailed Timeline, which is keyword searchable, will help readers understand the evolution and complexities of the practice of anaesthesiology.
In order to produce the Timeline, Dr Reg Cammack has gleaned and collated these snippets of historical information from multiple sources in published literature, not only for his own interest but also in the hope of piquing the interest of our members in researching further the development of our specialty. He aims to produce updates and additions several times each year.
View the Latest Additions to the History of Anaesthesia Timeline
This document contains additional and updated entries. Lines with a yellow background are updates of previous entries, with red text representing the new information. Lines with either a white or coloured background are completely new listings.
Download a Complete History of Anaesthesia Timeline
Learn more