/oss/taxonomy/term/6429/all en /oss/article/medical-general-science/anesthetic-gases-can-do-more-put-you-sleep <p>Can you imagine a tooth being extracted without an anesthetic? Or, worse, a limb being amputated? A horrific thought! Yet that was what patients had to contend with until the mid 19<sup>th</sup> century when nitrous oxide and ether appeared on the scene and ushered in the era of painless surgery. Without a doubt, the advent of anesthesia is one of the great moments in the history of science. But as with just about any discovery, be it that of radioactivity, electricity, antibiotics or vaccines, issues arise as time passes and new information comes to light.</p> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:58:02 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9744 at /oss