Meriden, CT
A 23-year-old female asked:
In old days when alcohol was used in surgery, was it's purpose to knocked the person out like anesthesia or just try and dull the pain?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Shahid Rafiqueanswered
Internal Medicine 46 years experience
Knockout: Alcohol was given to the patient to make them close to loss of consciousness or deep sleep. Unfortunately that did not relieve the pain.
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Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
Anesthetic: Alcohol was expected to knock the person out, like anesthesia.
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Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 46 years experience
Either one: Those were brutal times. It didn't work well. I hope you and your friends are grateful to live in an era with anesthesia, aseptic surgery, antibiotics, and safe obstetrical care.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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Dr. Alexander Bankovanswered
Anesthesiology 39 years experience
My guess - second: I don't think it is well documented; alcohol has a narrow therapeutic margin, meaning the difference between the dose for the desired effect ( here: inability to feel pain) and the toxic dose, leading to complications, is very small. So i would guess - the latter, to dull sensations.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 13, 2014
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