Between the Wars

Between the wars anaesthesia developed markedly and became more and more recognised as a specialty. Elaborate machines were developed for the administration of a variety of anaesthetics, though

– 122 –

ether still remained the most common type. Cyclopropane was introduced and proved very safe and satisfactory. Intravenous administration of new drugs proved satisfactory for the induction of anaesthesia and for short operations. Rectal administration was also utilised. Pentothal sodium was used before the beginning of the 1939–45 War and rapidly came into favour.