Essay On Anesthetic

Anesthetic is described as: “a substance that induces insensitivity to pain.” Anesthetic has been around since 2250 BC when clay tablets were used to help with the pain of cavities. Over the years anesthetic has improved greatly and is used worldwide. There are many types of anesthetic and not all require you to be unconscious including local anesthetic which only numbs one small area of the body. (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265592.php). Local anesthetic is very common in dentistry today. In Oregon, you are required to get further training to administer anesthetic to a patient.
In 1799, Humphrey Davy discovered anesthetic and nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”. In 1846, William T. G. Morton was the first to use anesthetic in a surgery setting. (https://www.woodlibrarymuseum.org/history-of-anesthesia/). Anesthetic is very important in the dentistry setting. Many people world-wide are “dental phobic” and anesthetic can help to ease the patients nerves and ensure that they are comfortable during certain procedures. Technology has made a huge difference in anesthetic over time. In the 1700-1800’s, plants, like opium, were used as anesthetic and even alcohol was used to induce numbness.

(https://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-lewis/on-world-anesthesia-day-i_b_12501550.html) Technology plays a huge role in that number. Medical equipment is very expensive and very complicated to get spread throughout the world. In the U.S alone, there are more than 10 anesthesiologist for every 100,000 people while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there is 0.02 per 100,000 people. Many countries don't have the training required to administer anesthetic nor do they have the funds to provide the medication and supplies needed. Last year, 17 million people died from a condition that could be treated by surgery but required anesthetic which wasn't