ANAESTHESIA has transformed war surgery from the primitive operations formerly performed by military surgeons to the ordered and deliberate techniques of today. Anaesthesia had developed considerably before the First World War, and ether had become established as a much safer and more satisfactory anaesthetic than chloroform. Special apparatus had been evolved to render its administration more satisfactory. Clover's apparatus had given way to the open administration on a mask, which was safer but wasteful and difficult to administer in warm countries. Chloroform was still used, especially in Edinburgh, and chloroform and ether mixtures were commonly utilised.

Shipway had introduced a simple apparatus to enable warm ether vapour to be given by passing air or oxygen through the ether bottle which stood in a warm water container. Gas (nitrous oxide) and oxygen had also been introduced and Boyle had invented an apparatus for its administration, ether being also given in conjunction if required. Spinal anaesthesia was commonly used in some hospitals.