Bulletin | Issue 125 | January 2021 The College’s Heritage and Archives Bulletin | Issue 125 | January 2021 Committee welcome any expressions of interest for new committee members. Please contact: [email protected] Professor Mike F M James Emeritus Professor of Anaesthesia, University of Cape Town for more information [email protected] Bulawayo Hospital 1895 hospital surgical-theatre list from 1911 shows several practitioners acting as AS WE WERE... anaesthetist at different times, including Huggins himself. The technique was invariably either ACE or chloroform. Origins of anaesthesia in In the rural areas, anaesthesia was frequently given by non-medical personnel, often including family Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) members! Mt Selinda (Adventist Mission) Hospital and Morgenster The first recorded anaesthetic in what is now Zimbabwe was administered Mission Hospital had recorded more than 600 surgical procedures by at Hope Fountain mission station, south-east of Bulawayo, in 1878 or early 1952. Sadly, there are no records as In Bulawayo, Peter Cushman was More recently, the economic crises in 1879. The wife of one of the missionaries was having a difficult labour to who gave what anaesthesia or of appointed as full-time anaesthetist Zimbabwe have massively handicapped the outcomes. and recruited several people over the the training of anaesthetists, but a requiring instrumental delivery performed by the senior missionary, Charles following years to form the first strong dedicated core of specialists have Helm, who had some medical training. Helm’s wife, Elsbeth, in fear and Worldwide improvements in anaesthetic core of anaesthetists in public service. maintained good clinical training and equipment were having an impact, and These included R A Cahi, S Zwana, and practice despite the difficulties. trembling, administered chloroform by handkerchief to the expectant mother. by 1943 a Boyle’s machine was available later J C Dlamini and J Andifasi. Cahi Note: after independence in 1980, Fortunately, both mother and child did well. in Salisbury, although it was reported became the first Rhodesian to obtain Rhodesia was renamed Zimbabwe and that ‘rag and bottle’ was still the most the FFARCS (UK) and later established several place names have changed. I The pioneer column which entered bubbled nitrous oxide through alcohol proficient at anaesthesia and was widely used technique. the first intensive care unit, initially to have used the names that were relevant the country in 1890 included several and chloroform, producing what he the first official appointee as Senior treat tetanus. The first trained specialist, holding medical men in addition to its leader, called ‘vitalised air’ that provided Anaesthetist to the Bulawayo Hospital. at the time to avoid confusion. an English Diploma in Anaesthesia, The Godfrey Huggins School of Leander Starr Jameson. They brought more satisfactory anaesthesia. He He was highly skilled in the ‘rag and G V S Wright, arrived in 1950 and References also explored the use of cocaine and bottle’ technique, using chloroform, Medicine opened in Salisbury in 1963, substantial medical supplies, including commented on the mediocre standard and an independent department of 1 Hickman AS. Police Pioneer Doctors. morphine – which Jameson used to procaine for local anaesthesia. ether or ACE (a mixture of alcohol, of anaesthesia in the country at the anaesthetics was established in 1974 Rhodesiana 1957;2:3–15. treat the Ndebele King, Lobengula, chloroform and ether). With the population expanding, time. However, anaesthetic practice with Professor Ashley Duthie as the 2 Gelfand M, Ritchken J (eds). Godfrey who suffered from gout. Dr Frank Rand hospitals were built in Bulawayo and The influx of medical practitioners rapidly improved with the introduction first head. Training in anaesthesia at Martin Huggins: his life and work. Salisbury, was a trained surgeon who administered Rhodesia: Bardwell & Co (Pvt) Ltd. Salisbury, and a recent arrival, Dr included Godfrey Martin Huggins (later of thiopentone and nitrous-oxide– that time emphasised clinical skills, as chloroform to a patient in Fort Salisbury oxygen mixtures (often with ether or 3 McKenzie AG. The development of Andrew Fleming (1894), was the first Prime Minister and Lord Malvern), who modern essentials such as automated anaesthesia in Zimbabwe. Third International for the repair of a severely injured full-time doctor appointed to the staff arrived in Salisbury in 1911. Huggins cyclopropane) from a proper breathing sphygmomanometers, gas analysers Symposium on the History of Anesthesia. hand – three hours under candlelight! of the new Salisbury Hospital. He formed a partnership that soon circuit. Several more specialists arrived and pulse oximeters were non-existent. Wood Library 1992 – Museum of Anesthesia. Fellow-pioneer John Strachan, a became Medical Director and Inspector included two regular anaesthetists – over the next few years, bringing with Perhaps it was these challenging 4 Bader S. Muscle relaxants in anaesthesia. chemist, brought supplies of nitrous of Health while Dr Rand was appointed Dr R S MacNaughton (who became them expertise and new techniques conditions that enabled the training Cen African J Med 1956;2:185–190. oxide, which he used to establish a surgeon to the Salisbury Hospital from expert with the Shipway apparatus) in (including various muscle relaxants). of a solid base of local specialists, Halothane was introduced in 1958 5 Bader S, Micklem NJ, Wright GVS. successful dentistry practice. He was 1897 to 1899. In Bulawayo, the first 1912 and Dr J E Hurworth (who later nurse-anaesthetists and many high- Halothane: a new anaesthetic agent. Cen joined in 1904 by an American dentist, medical officer was Dr Fred Vigne, who became the first full-time appointment and warmly welcomed despite its quality individuals (including three African J Med 1958;4:233–235. Byron-Moore, who manufactured his arrived in 1893 and was soon joined as Anaesthetist at the Salisbury great expense! full professors) who have made their own nitrous oxide. Recognising the by others, including Edward Head. Hospital) in 1919. However, there were mark internationally. deficiencies of the gas at altitude, he Dr Head soon showed himself highly no real specialists at this time, and a 56 | | 57.