Der Anaesthesist
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Biography Historical Article
[Eduard C. H. von Siebold: "The use of sulfur ether vapor in obstetrics" (1847). A contribution to the beginning of modern obstetric analgesia and anesthesia in Germany].
In 1847 J. Y. Simpson in Scotland was the first to describe the administration of ether for analgesia in painful deliveries. ⋯ While he was satisfied with the good analgesia without sequelae of the new-born, he was discouraged by the termination of uterine contractions observed in all his patients. He concluded that ether was not a useful substance for analgesia during vaginal delivery, since it disturbed the natural course of labour. On the other hand, von Siebold was very pleased with the administration of ether for operative obstetric procedures such as forceps deliveries or placental retention.