History of medicine Quote by Howard Wilcox Haggard
![“One [event] is the discovery of the anesthetic properties of chloroform [in 1847] by James Simpson of Scotland. Following the reports of [William] Morton’s demonstration [1846], he tried ether but, dissatisfied, searched for a substitute and came upon chlorophorm. He was an obstetrician. His use…” quote by Howard Wilcox Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/125/howard-wilcox-haggard-92416_history-of-medicine_one-event-is-the-discovery-of-the-anesth_2499483.jpg)
““One [event] is the discovery of the anesthetic properties of chloroform [in 1847] by James Simpson of Scotland. Following the reports of [William] Morton’s demonstration [1846], he tried ether but, dissatisfied, searched for a substitute and came upon chlorophorm. He was an obstetrician. His use of anesthesia to alleviate the pains of childbirth was violently opposed by the Scottish clergy on the ground that pain was ordained by the scriptural command, “In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children”, and that it was impious to attempt to avert it by anesthetic agents. And it was Simpson who stilled this opposition by his own famous quotation from scripture; he pointed out that when Eve was born, God cast Adam into deep sleep before performing upon him the notable costalectomy. Anesthesia was thus permissible by scriptural precedent.””
About This Quote
Source Historical essay on medical anesthesia
Simpson justified anesthesia using scriptural precedent, overcoming religious opposition to pain relief
In simple terms: Religious arguments were used to permit anesthesia in childbirth
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical contexts when applying new technology
Themes
history
ethics
medicine
religion
innovation
Mood
thoughtful
historical
analytical
Type
History of medicine:1
Discovery Anesthetic:1
Anesthetic:1
Chloroform 1847:0
Avert Anesthetic:0
Anesthetic Properties:0
When to use this quote
- medical practice
- policy making
- bioethics education
- public health advocacy
- historical research
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
scientific progress
cultural resistance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance tradition with scientific advancement?
- What role should scripture play in modern ethics?
A Different Perspective
Ethical debates may persist despite precedent
![“He [Paracelsus] was a Swiss, a queer mixture of a man, of keenest intellect and coarsest fiber, an unusual combination. Like most students of these times, he led a wandering life. That was the only way one could keep in touch with what was going on; there were no scientific periodicals, no…” quote by Howard Wilcox Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad6/howard-wilcox-haggard-92416_history-of-medicine_he-paracelsus-was-a-swiss-a-queer-mixtur_3227506.jpg)
