From the President
As you are all aware, the bicentennial celebration of the birth of the great Scot, Sir James Young Simpson whose pioneering zeal led to his introduction of chloroform in the practice of Midwifery in Edinburgh at which the Society under the baton of Dr Alistair McKenzie played a significant role with success, delayed celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the History of Anaesthesia Society which met for the first time in Reading in June 1986 with Dr Thomas B Boulton and Dr Richard Ellis at the helm. The Hilton St Anne’s Hotel was selected as, probably, the most suitable venue in the area for this meeting of celebration.
It gives me pleasure to welcome you all to participate actively in the next quarter-centenary to preserve and ensure the future success of our Society.
History is an important part of the understanding of the heritage of civilised peoples as exemplified by its presence in all academic establishments. Early experiments by young enthusiastic doctors, chemists and engineers with substances and equipment were, after all, the foundations of our specialty. It is, therefore, important that we and future generations of doctors continue this work. The History of Anaesthesia Society can play an important role by inspiring our younger colleagues to examine in detail how our practice and its safety has developed over time since the early use of drops of ether placed on gauze. A brief glance at many editions of the Proceedings demonstrates that there are endless opportunities for historical research and the presentation of fascinating and informative papers. For example vol.21 of the Proceedings contains two excellent papers on the Religious Objections raised by the Church of Scotland in response to the use of anaesthetic agents in midwifery both of which are works of art clearly indicating the importance of historical studies in the determination of the everyday life of an anaesthetist.
In recent years the Society has encouraged Trainees to make presentations at our meetings. The papers are of high standing, obviously the result of significant research. It is important for the future wellbeing of Society that his continues. We offer free Membership for one year following the presentation but, alas only a few have become members and continued to present excellent well researched papers. I, therefore, wish to make a plea for those of you still in clinical practice to encourage your junior staff to become interested in the history of our speciality and the major contributions that have consequently followed for the safety of our chosen speciality.
I also wish to make a plea for members, particularly younger members to consider standing for election to Council. We need ‘young blood’ to drive us in the right direction. It is not an onerous task. At present Council meets twice per year. On the afternoon of the first Friday of February we meet at the Association of Anaesthetist at 25 Portland Place , London W1P 1BY.
The 27th Annual Meeting of the Society will take place at the Best Western Castle Green Hotel, Castle Green Lane, Sedbergh Road, Kendal ,Cumbria on the 5th and 6th of July 2013. I do hope that many of you will attend and present papers. Kendal is readily accessible. For those of you travelling by car it is probably easier to continue on the M6 to the Kendal/Sedbergh exit [J37] as the hotel is on the right as you approach the town. It is also easily reached by public transport. All mainline trains to the North-West and Scotland including those from Manchester Airport stop at Oxenholme just south of the town where taxis routinely await the arrival of trains. Booking facilities with the resident Conference Organiser will be available on our website in due course.
I and Council look forward to seeing you in Kendal.
Dr Anne Florence
President of the History of Anaesthesia Society
August 2012
It gives me pleasure to welcome you all to participate actively in the next quarter-centenary to preserve and ensure the future success of our Society.
History is an important part of the understanding of the heritage of civilised peoples as exemplified by its presence in all academic establishments. Early experiments by young enthusiastic doctors, chemists and engineers with substances and equipment were, after all, the foundations of our specialty. It is, therefore, important that we and future generations of doctors continue this work. The History of Anaesthesia Society can play an important role by inspiring our younger colleagues to examine in detail how our practice and its safety has developed over time since the early use of drops of ether placed on gauze. A brief glance at many editions of the Proceedings demonstrates that there are endless opportunities for historical research and the presentation of fascinating and informative papers. For example vol.21 of the Proceedings contains two excellent papers on the Religious Objections raised by the Church of Scotland in response to the use of anaesthetic agents in midwifery both of which are works of art clearly indicating the importance of historical studies in the determination of the everyday life of an anaesthetist.
In recent years the Society has encouraged Trainees to make presentations at our meetings. The papers are of high standing, obviously the result of significant research. It is important for the future wellbeing of Society that his continues. We offer free Membership for one year following the presentation but, alas only a few have become members and continued to present excellent well researched papers. I, therefore, wish to make a plea for those of you still in clinical practice to encourage your junior staff to become interested in the history of our speciality and the major contributions that have consequently followed for the safety of our chosen speciality.
I also wish to make a plea for members, particularly younger members to consider standing for election to Council. We need ‘young blood’ to drive us in the right direction. It is not an onerous task. At present Council meets twice per year. On the afternoon of the first Friday of February we meet at the Association of Anaesthetist at 25 Portland Place , London W1P 1BY.
The 27th Annual Meeting of the Society will take place at the Best Western Castle Green Hotel, Castle Green Lane, Sedbergh Road, Kendal ,Cumbria on the 5th and 6th of July 2013. I do hope that many of you will attend and present papers. Kendal is readily accessible. For those of you travelling by car it is probably easier to continue on the M6 to the Kendal/Sedbergh exit [J37] as the hotel is on the right as you approach the town. It is also easily reached by public transport. All mainline trains to the North-West and Scotland including those from Manchester Airport stop at Oxenholme just south of the town where taxis routinely await the arrival of trains. Booking facilities with the resident Conference Organiser will be available on our website in due course.
I and Council look forward to seeing you in Kendal.
Dr Anne Florence
President of the History of Anaesthesia Society
August 2012
