The distinctive aroma that once identified hospitals is reminiscent of the days of using open ether anaesthesia. Throughout this period the risk of explosions posed a very real threat to operating theatres, and the attention to safety produced the means of maintaining security for clinical practitioners; moreover protecting the vulnerability of the unconscious patient. The creation of the Davy lamp in 1815 was to spark our continual awareness regarding the impact of gas and chemical pollution.
HendrikxJ, LemmensH, CaretteR2008Can modern infrared analyzers replace gas chromatography to measure anesthetic vapor concentrations?BMC Anesthesiology8(2) Available from: www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2253/8/2 [Accessed October 2012]
VaughanRS, MaplesonW, MushinW1973Prevention of pollution of operating theatres with halothane vapour by absorption with activated charcoalBritish Medical Journal1727–729
