OK, in the church, we all grew up on this story of young Joseph Smith and his leg surgery. The narrative went that he needed leg surgery, but refused alcohol to help numb the pain the surgery would cause. Surgery at this time was VERY rudimentary, and killed people in its own right. Working as I do now, I wondered if alcohol was the only thing they had back then. 1800- Anesthetic properties of nitrous oxide first published 1804- Japanese doctor creates “Tsusen-san”, and oral concoction used to induce general anesthesia. The combination was an over-dosage of several alkaloids, including scopolamine, atropine, aconitine and angelicotoxin. When combined, these ingredients induce hypnosis, analgesia, muscle weakness and lack of recall. 1805- Morphine discovered and isolated from opium 1819- Squibb Pharmaceutical founded and produced ether, chloroform (first produced in 1829), and cocaine for use as anesthetics 1842- Surgery with ether for anesthesia (had been used on animal
My journey in life, particularly looking for truth surrounding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.