Then and Now: Grantham patient died after being given ether for an operation to remove a tumour

According to the Royal College of Anaesthetists in London, the first operation carried out under anaesthetic using ether was on December 19, 1846, writes Ruth Crook of Grantham Civic Society.

By the beginning of March the following year, 27 successful operations had been carried out in England using ether. Dr Charles Robbs, a Grantham surgeon and physician was consulted by Mrs Ann Parkinson, aged 21, who had heard about this procedure and wished to try it.

Ann had been married for 18 months to a hairdresser from Spittlegate and had developed a lump on her left thigh. She had a nine-month old baby and during her pregnancy the lump had grown and she could no longer sit or lie down comfortably.

Dr Robbs’s father had also been a surgeon and physician in the town and his son would also subsequently do the same. Dr Robbs consulted three of his colleagues in the town, who agreed to assist him to remove this malignant tumour. Dr Robbs gave Ann two tests with ether to see how she would respond prior to arranging an operation, to which she responded well.

On March 19, 1847, the operation was carried out. At the start of the surgery, Ann grasped the hand of her sister in law and moaned and struggled. Patients said that they were often aware of what was happening, but could not feel pain. Ann was given slightly more ether and the operation lasted half an hour. Ann subsequently drank some brandy and had some gruel and had tea.

Dr Robbs visited her several times and checked her and the wound and she was found to be well, but she died overnight. George Kewney, the coroner, ordered a post mortem and inquest, which was held at the Brewer’s Arms. The inquest caused national interest and it was reported throughout the British Isles. No obvious cause for her death was found, so it was decided that her death had been caused by the ether.