Chloroform Usage In Childbirth

In 1848, a significant event marked the early days of anaesthesia: the first recorded death linked to chloroform occurred, with the passing of Hannah Green, likely due to the mishandling of the anaesthetic. This incident, coupled with the opposition from the Calvinist Church of Scotland towards chloroform, cast doubt on its widespread adoption. The Church's stance, rooted in the belief that pain in childbirth was a divine punishment stemming from Eve’s decision to tempt Adam with the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, further complicated matters. However, the tide turned when Queen Victoria herself consented to chloroform anaesthesia during the birth of Prince Leopold. Her approval was akin to divine sanction, leading to a rapid acceptance and widespread use of chloroform.

The use of chloroform as a primary anaesthetic began to decline in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its use decreased due to the development of safer alternatives and growing awareness of its risks, including its potential to cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and liver damage. By the mid-20th century, chloroform was largely phased out in favour of safer anaesthetic agents like ether and, later, modern inhalational anaesthetics such as halothane and isoflurane. Today, chloroform is primarily used in laboratory settings and industrial applications, rather than in medical practice.