Etymology of <i>Anesthesiology</i> and <i>Anesthesia</i>, Redux

The term anesthesiology was reportedly coined in 1902 by Mathias Joseph Seifert (1866 to 1947), as he claimed a 1938 letter colleague Paul Wood.1,2 This enjoys some reputation: it is preserved the Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology Schaumburg, IL. But where and how did enter literature?In little-known editor JAMA November 25, 1911, had formally medical literature. It short enough be reprinted full:The Medical Herald January 1912 echoed this bit without referencing it: “Anesthesiology. new adopted University Illinois,” followed Seifert’s definition quoted.4Since when Chicago, then? In 1911 revised edition Book Chicagoans, appears “prof, physical diagnosis anesthesiology, dental dept., Univ. Ill., 1905–9.”5 would seem answer questions early job title tenure dates, raised Haridas.2 Among earliest confirming sources for precise use terminology 1908 biannual Report Illinois Board Trustees, 2 yr ending September 30, 1908.6 1910 Roden R. Duff succeeded Professor Physical Diagnosis Anesthesiology, held until at least 1913.7 From that intriguingly have used publication only after his 4-yr “General Anesthetics” professor, 9 coining it. any case seems former introduced somewhere during tenure, around 1908. An outline an anesthetics course “Department Anesthesiology” on record 1909/10 academic year.8 Who taught left blank; apparently position vacant not yet been appointed. definitely 1911/12. When initially 1906/7, still given General Anesthetics (he inherited from McIntyre Patton).9 1909 volume university’s student newspaper, Illio.10 him “Professor Anesthesiology.”11It good point out coinage print term. proposed (favorable) book review Dudley Wilmont Buxton’s Anæsthetics: Their Uses Administration (1888), signed “H.W.B.,” published New Orleans Surgical Journal 1889.12 Its opening sentence: “When we find pen man [Buxton] who administrator anæsthetics four public institutions London naturally expect something representative specialty—shall call anæsthesiology?” clearly anticipated semantic distinction between practice science anesthesiology. “H.W.B.” Henry William Blanc (1859 1896), prolific reviewer said journal. no anesthesiologist: He lecturer dermatology Tulane Louisiana; instructor syphilology Polyclinic (of which cofounder); 1888 Chief Sanitary Inspector City Orleans; house physician York Skin Cancer Hospital; dermatologist Charity Hospital, Touro Infirmary, Orleans.Blanc may first term, but seemingly once. died young, Asheville, North Carolina, age 35; unnamed illness rendered professional work impossible number years. We do earlier uses common European languages, nor gained traction before 1908/9 year, then only, discussed, College Dentistry Illinois. OED gives 1914, third Stedman’s Practical Dictionary; unreferenced entry most likely inspired letter.In Haridas’s excellent discussion modern definitions anaisthesia/anesthesia,1 identifies such Steven Blankaart’s Latin dictionary 1679. briefly added because attested ancient Greek, surprising already existed various authors writing clarified celebrated obscure Greek Aretaeus Cappadocia (81 138? CE), translation Junius Paulus Crassus (c. 1500 1575) 1552, anesthesia sensus abolitio (sensory annulment).13 appeared well-known section contradistinguishing apoplexia, paraplegia, paresis, paralysis. Henri Estienne’s 1564 Dictionarium medicum quoted verbatim also has showing two-word clarification departs manuscript used.14 Seventeenth-century predating include 1658 geometrics defining privatio (lack sensation).15 same 1669 chair practical medicine Padua Raimondo Giovanni Forti (1603 1678),16 well 1672 posthumous contemporary, Marseille Nicolas Chesneau (1601 c.1669).17In sum: Anesthesia defined mid-sixteenth century translators; American 1889, recoined Seifert, circa 1908, (to announce fact) re-entered literature 1911.The author declares competing interests.