The Anesthetist as a Physician

IN THE first century following Morton's public demonstration of the effect of ether in man, the anesthetist found sufficient challenge in activities limited to simple anesthesia conducted as safely as possible for surgical procedures. In the last two or three decades, time spent outside the operating room has been largely confined to devising equipment or in studies of the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of old and new anesthetic agents. But, especially in the last decade, the physiciananesthetist has expanded his activities. This report will deal with these expanded activities, with emphasis on new concepts, in order to indicate the growth of anesthesia as a medical specialty. In several instances points have been illustrated with cases or studies from our own department and laboratory. The advances described are common to many departments; local and specific examples are used since we know them best. Every major department could likewise have presented its