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Early opposition to obstetric anaesthesia
Author(s) -
FARR A.D.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1980.tb03951.x
Subject(s) - opposition (politics) , medicine , anesthesia , historiography , inhalation , law , politics , political science
Summary Some of the arguments used to oppose the introduction of inhalation anaesthesia–especially in obstetrics—are considered. These arguments were mainly based upon a desire to retain the sensation of pain, either as a factor necessary for survival or as a diagnostic aid: moral arguments were also adduced but religious opposition is no more than a myth of historiography. The opposition to anaesthesia lasted for less than 15 years and is seen as essentially a reflection of contemporary views on the role of pain.