Anaesthesia
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Biography Historical Article
From Clover to computer. Towards programmed anaesthesia?
The control of depth of anaesthesia has been viewed as a control-system problem the solution of which can involve both feedback and feedforward techniques. The nature of the problem in Clover's day and the solutions he found have been examined. A similar analysis has been made in respect of the modern anaesthetist. Finally, the way in which computers may aid the anaesthetist in his task has been illustrated by reference to various attempts reported from around the world and, in particular, by describing the development in Cardiff of a system which should produce, in the brain of the patient, any tension of an inhaled anaesthetic which the anaesthetist chooses to specify.
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Cardiac arrest due to electrocution occurred in a young obstetric patient undergoing laparotomy. The patient subsequently died despite initial resuscitation. The cause was traced to an inappropriate and faulty switch in the base of the operating table; the circuit was completed by the ECG monitor which was of the direct earth type.
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Three patients showing the typical features of amniotic fluid embolism are described. Two survived the insult, while in the third the diagnosis was confirmed by post-mortem histological examination of the lungs.