Title: War Surgery and Medicine

Author: Stout, T. Duncan M.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1954, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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Between the Wars

Between the wars anaesthesia developed markedly and became more and more recognised as a specialty. Elaborate machines were developed for the administration of a variety of anaesthetics, though page 122 ether still remained the most common type. Cyclopropane was introduced and proved very safe and satisfactory. Intravenous administration of new drugs proved satisfactory for the induction of anaesthesia and for short operations. Rectal administration was also utilised. Pentothal sodium was used before the beginning of the 1939–45 War and rapidly came into favour.