ETHER MONUMENT

Anaesthesia has become a highly specialised branch of medical science in today's world. On the 16th of October 1846, W.T.G. Morton was the first to administer ether at the Massachusetts General Hospital for the first time. Therefore, this day is celebrated as `Anaesthesia Day' or `Ether Day' all over the World.

In the recent decades, the scope of anaesthesia has widened tremendously. No longer is the Anaesthesiologist a doctor in the background. His role is not limited to pre-operative assessment, Peri - operative, post - operative care any more. He is also the authority in the management of critically ill patients in the intensive care units and the chronic pain patients in the pain clinics. Many anaesthesiologists are actively involved in research and postgraduate teaching as a result of which this speciality is progressing by leaps and bounds

The modern anaesthesiologist, besides being an intensivist, is also actively involved in social service through pain and palliative care clinics. With the advent of new techniques in pain relief, the quality of life of terminal cancer patients has improved. These patients who lived in utter despair and dejection due to the intractable pain are now able to lead a pleasant and cheerful life with their pain under control