Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
https://bjan-sba.org/article/doi/10.1590/S0034-70942006000300010
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology
Miscellaneous

O primeiro a utilizar anestesia em cirurgia não foi um dentista. Foi o m édico Crawford Williamson Long

The first to use surgical anesthesia was not a dentist, but the physician Crawford Williamson Long

Almiro dos Reis Júnior

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0034-70942006000300010 Braz J Anesthesiol, vol.56, n3, p.304-324, 2006
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Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A história da descoberta da anestesia continua incompletamente esclarecida em vários de seus aspectos. Mas é fácil definir que Crawford Williamson Long foi o primeiro a utilizar o éter sulfúrico para operar vários pacientes, sem dor, e realizar analgesias obstétricas. A história é uma ponte que liga o passado ao presente e deve ser estudada e entendida desde os seus primeiros pilares. Assim, justifica-se lembrar ou dar a conhecer quem foi Long, um nome certamente pouco conhecido entre nós, e qual a participação dele na descoberta da anestesia. CONTEÚDO: São discorridos porque e como Crawford Williamson Long foi levado a se tornar o primeiro médico a operar sem dor, quatro anos e meio antes de Morton, e o papel que desempenhou numa das maiores descobertas da Medicina. A biografia de Long é narrada, ressaltando-se o seu caráter, a competência, a dedicação, a modéstia, o desprendimento e um certo desapego com relação à conquista da glória. Descrevem-se as circunstâncias que o levaram a não divulgar de imediato sua descoberta. É analisado o envolvimento de Long na discussão pela primazia da descoberta da anestesia e relatado o seu falecimento. As numerosas homenagens recebidas por Long nos EUA e em outros países são citadas. CONCLUSÕES: W. T. G. Morton costuma ser considerado como o autor da descoberta da anestesia geral, sobretudo por ter sido o primeiro a fazer demonstração pública bem-sucedida, em importante hospital de Boston (EUA). Contudo, provou-se que Long foi o primeiro a utilizar a anestesia cirúrgica e é reconhecido em várias regiões de seu país como o pai da anestesia cirúrgica e "o seu descobridor". É necessário, ainda, reverter o fato de ser Long pouco conhecido entre nós e inseri-lo no lugar a que tem direito na história da anestesia geral.

Palavras-chave

ANESTESIA, Geral, ANESTESIOLOGIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The history of the discovery of anesthesia is not totally explained, but it is easy to establish that Crawford Williamson Long was the first to use sulfuric ether to operate several patients with no pain and to perform obstetric procedures. History is a bridge connecting the past to the present and should be studied and understood from its first pillars. So, it is justifiable to recall or get to know who was Long, certainly a name almost unknown for many of us, and which has been his participation in the discovery of anesthesia. CONTENTS: Why and how Crawford Williamson Long became the first physician to operate with no pain four and a half years before Morton are discussed, in addition to the role he played in one of the major Medical discoveries. Long's biography is narrated, stressing his character, competence, dedication, modesty, altruism and a certain unconcern with conquests and glories. Circumstances leading him not to immediately publicize his discovery are described. Long's involvement in the discussion about the discoverer of anesthesia is analyzed and his passing away is reported. Finally, numerous honors to Long by the USA and other countries are described. CONCLUSIONS: W.T.G. Morton is often considered the discoverer of general anesthesia, especially for being the first to make a successful public demonstration in a major hospital in Boston (USA). However, it has been proven that Long has been the first to use surgical anesthesia and he is acknowledged in several regions of his country as the father of surgical anesthesia and "its discoverer". It is also necessary to revert the fact that Long is almost unknown among us and give him the place he is entitled to in the history of general anesthesia.

Keywords

ANESTHESIA, General, ANESTHESIOLOGY

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