#mass gen

[ub-sessed]

Basics of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a problem largely impacting the function of the brain. It is considered a condition directly at th

[paperlessprinter]

thoughts inspired by work:

It's an absolute privilege to know that when I was in the hospital there were no staff shortages* (that I knew of) so I had access to all the programing/groups.

*even in 2017 and 2018 MGH Blake 11 said they didn't have enough staff to chaperone people off the unit** Newton Wellesley had an enclosed area right off the unit and McLean let you out on the grounds for walks once you had privileges.

**not that there's a nice place to get to easily at MGH. The main entrance is a car drop off area.

[ramblings-of-a-resident]

The Trifecta

Today marks the completion of my trifecta of rejections from the Harvard programs. 

I’m too unsurprised to even manage to be disappointed. 

[justvetthings-blog]

The birth of anaesthesiology

Yesterday (or today in the Western Hemisphere) was the 16th of October. What's so significant about that date? 

Well aside from being the birthdate of around 200,000 people, it is also the anniversary of the first successful use of anaesthesia during surgery. 

On the 16th of October 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital, in what is now known as the Ether Dome, the first surgery performed with the assistance of general anaesthesia took place. 

John Collins Warren removed a tumor from the neck of a local printer, Edward Gilbert Abbott, after he had inhaled ether gas, rendering him unconscious.

The advent of anaesthesiology allowed for greater development of the surgical arts, which were previously limited by the patient's ability to bear the pain of being sliced open while they were awake. Surgical procedures had to be quick, and therefore could not be complex or accurate. A beautiful example of this is Robert LIster who is credited with performing the fastest amputation done. Sadly, the patient died from gangrene, as did an assistant after Lister removed his fingers in his haste. An onlooker also died of fright, after the thought that Lister had stabbed him. The man also did an amputation in 2 and a half minutes, but he also removed the patients testicles.

Not the best outcome.

Anaesthesiology is a gift. It allows us to greatly reduce the trauma caused by surgery, both physical as the surgeon can be thorough and accurate, as well as mental as we do not have to put the patient through a great deal of psychological trauma. 

In veterinary medicine, it also greatly improves OUR safety. Animals that are frightened and in pain are dangerous, regardless of how sweet natured they are normally. Sedatives and anaesthesia allows us to complete our diagnostic procedures and treatments with a greatly increased safety.

We have much to be thankful for. Anesthesiology is now a complex and highly refined science and is such often the least favourite subject of students. Everytime I get frustrated with it, I remind myself how lucky I am to be able to learn and then reduce my patients suffering.

So happy 167th birthday anaesthesiology!

[bosstownsports]