The Economic Times

In 1847, a Scottish obstetrician showed the world the use of a vital medicine while helping women during childbirth and making surgeries safe and painless, changing the course of medical science forever

In 1847, a Scottish obstetrician showed the world the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic during childbirth and surgery. Sir James Young Simpson tested the substance with colleagues in Edinburgh and later used it to reduce pain. His work helped spread anaesthesia in medicine and changed how doctors approached childbirth and surgical procedures.