Episode 5
The Commissions
Chloroform could stop patients breathing if you accidentally gave too much, but could it also cause the heart to suddenly stop beating? John Snow thought it did, but doctors in Scotland disagreed. Through the second half of the 19th century, the commissions and committees that investigated chloroform’s risks would chase an answer around the world, to India. And the results would be controversial.
Guests:
Dr David Wilkinson
consultant anaesthetist and former Laureate of the Wood Library-Museum of Anaesthesiology
Dr Christine Ball
Consultant anaesthetist, Laureate of the Wood Library-Museum of Anaesthesiology, and honorary curator of the Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History, Melbourne.
Dr Tim Cook
Consultant Anaesthetist, and Royal College of Anaesthetists Director of National Audit Projects
With additional voice talent from:
Music by:
Alan Jenkins, broadcaster and journalist, as the voice of James Young Simpson.
Nicola Chang