Founded in 1986, the History of Anaesthesia Society aims to promote the study of the history of anaesthesia and related disciplines and to provide a forum and social ambience for discussion among members. Membership is open to any persons over the age of 18 years who is interested in the study of the history of anaesthesia. The Society normally holds a two-day Summer meeting and a one-day Autumn meeting annually. In addition the Society has supported various projects connected with the history of anaesthesia. It funded the restoration of the gravestone of Sir Frederic Hewitt and has contributed towards the restoration of John Snow's grave as well as the Simpson grave in Edinburgh. Donations have been made in connection with the Hickman exhibition in Ludlow, and to the Erasmus Darwin museum in Lichfield. In commemoration of Joseph Priestley's researches into oxygen and nitrous oxide a garden seat was presented to Bowood House. The Society funded the conservation of the Casebooks of John Snow, which are held in the library of the Royal College of Physicians. The Society has reprinted Dr Barbara Duncum's book 'The Development of Inhalation Anaesthesia' and printed 'Essays on the History of Anaesthesia', based on the earlier volumes of the Proceedings.
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Latest News:
2022 HAS Scientific meeting

The 2022 HAS Scientific meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th September 2022 at the Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX.
The organiser is Professor Tony Wildsmith to whom queries, registration forms, payments and applications to present papers should be sent. Those wishing to present should submit (preferably by email) a summary as soon as possible, and by 1st August, 2022 at the latest, please. The summary should be no more than one side of A4, double-spaced, use Cambria type and be in font size 12. It is likely that each presentation will be allowed twenty minutes with 5 for questions & discussion, but this will be confirmed when the number of accepted submissions is known.
Full details and the registration form can be found on the events page.
Call for nominations for the David Zuck Memorial Prize 2022
Nominations are invited for the David Zuck Memorial Prize of the History of Anaesthesia Society for the best paper or chapter in a book published in 2021.
The nominated item/items must be:
The nominator (if not self-nominated) must provide confirmation that the author has accepted his/her publication being nominated. A maximum of two nominations from any one nominator will be considered.
Nominations should be sent by email to the Chair of the D. Zuck Prize Committee, Professor Rajinder Mirakhur: r.mirakhur@btinternet.com
The paper or chapter must be sent as an attachment: word-processed document or PDF. The closing date is 1st July 2022. The winner will be announced at the History of Anaesthesia Society’s scientific meeting in Cirencester, UK in September 2022.
The nominated item/items must be:
- on the history of anaesthesia, resuscitation, intensive care or pain management;
- published in the English language in 2021.
The nominator (if not self-nominated) must provide confirmation that the author has accepted his/her publication being nominated. A maximum of two nominations from any one nominator will be considered.
Nominations should be sent by email to the Chair of the D. Zuck Prize Committee, Professor Rajinder Mirakhur: r.mirakhur@btinternet.com
The paper or chapter must be sent as an attachment: word-processed document or PDF. The closing date is 1st July 2022. The winner will be announced at the History of Anaesthesia Society’s scientific meeting in Cirencester, UK in September 2022.
10th International Symposium on the History of Anaesthesia
The 10th ISHA meeting will be held in the Kobe International Conference Centre, between 16th-18th June 2022.
For more details, visit the event website.
For more details, visit the event website.
Index of ISHA Proceedings (Volumes 1-9)
Prototype database for HAS research activities
Dr Marten van Wijhe has begun a database of members' research activities with a view to facilitating collaboration. Members are encouraged to contact Marten if they are interested in participating.