From Dental to Mental Institutions: Elmer McKesson's Secondary Saturation with Nitrous Oxide

J Anesth Hist. 2018 Jul;4(3):196-197. doi: 10.1016/j.janh.2018.04.001. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Abstract

As popularized by Elmer McKesson, MD, "secondary saturation" with nitrous oxide could expose patients to a second burst of 100% laughing gas to relax their muscles to assist surgeons. On rare occasions, this technique could provide a second opportunity for hypoxic brain damage and possible admission postoperatively to insane asylums.

Keywords: Anesthesia history; Brain hypoxia; Brain injuries; Cyanosis; Dental anesthesia; Dentistry history; Elmer McKesson; Muscle relaxation; Nitrous oxide; Psychiatric hospitals.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesia, Dental / adverse effects
  • Anesthesia, Dental / history*
  • Anesthesia, Dental / methods
  • Anesthesia, Inhalation / adverse effects
  • Anesthesia, Inhalation / history*
  • Anesthesia, Inhalation / methods
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / history*
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / therapeutic use
  • History, 20th Century
  • Hospitals, Psychiatric / history
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / chemically induced
  • Mental Disorders / history*
  • Nitrous Oxide / adverse effects
  • Nitrous Oxide / history*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Nitrous Oxide

Personal name as subject

  • Elmer Isaac McKesson