In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Reviewed by:
  • "This Is No Humbug!": Reminiscences of the Department of Anesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital, A History
  • Randy W. Calicott
Richard J. Kitz , ed. "This Is No Humbug!": Reminiscences of the Department of Anesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital, A History. Boston: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, 2003. xvii + 459 pp. Ill. $60.00 (0-9715376-0-7). (Copies may be ordered on line at http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/00850.htm, or from the Department of Anesthesiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114; tel.: 617-726-8812.)

What a monumental undertaking this book is, and certainly worth the effort. "This Is No Humbug!" begins to recall the great moments in the long and illustrious history of the Department of Anesthesiology at the Massachusetts General [End Page 162] Hospital. The many different authors create some confusion and a little distraction, but for the most part the varied perspectives add a wonderful flavor to the book. Each author's thoughts, feelings, and views of the department's and the hospital's progress are interesting, and all are definitely worth reading. The Department of Anesthesiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is both nationally and internationally well known, but its many "firsts" and other contributions to the profession of anesthesiology may not be as well known. "This Is No Humbug!" informatively (and occasionally humorously) brings those many accomplishments to print and lends insight into how they were achieved. The reenactment photographs of the first public demonstration of ether are a very interesting addition to the book.

These recollections of the faculty at the MGH stretch from the 1960s through the 1990s, which were probably the most productive decades for anesthesia. The personal remembrances of those who expanded the boundaries of the field convey the excitement and energy prevalent in our profession during this period. These were the decades when we developed a better understanding of physiology, pharmacology, pain mechanisms, and more—the decades in which we witnessed the creation of critical care units, the evolution of residency training criteria, and our emancipation from hospital administrators and surgeons, to achieve what we currently take for granted: our independence as anesthesiology departments. There were also hassles, of course, such as dealing with third-party payment and HMOs, as well as the lack of space for operating rooms and anesthesia services, and the paucity of residents and staff.

"This Is No Humbug!" could serve as a how-to guide for building a successful anesthesiology department. The political, personal, and professional struggles required to achieve this are well told by Dr. Kitz and others, who delineate the Herculean effort needed to overcome hospital politics, dogmatic traditions, and territorialism while pursuing excellence. Dr. Kitz's mantra, "There are no problems, only opportunities," must have been the mind-set of his entire faculty to have created such a distinguished department. Under current chairman Dr. Zapol's watchful eye, the department is still a presence and a leader in the profession of anesthesia.

Thank you to all who participated in this delightful book. I recommend "This Is No Humbug!" to all who are interested in learning how the profession of anesthesia has evolved, and in embracing the pioneering spirit that we hope will help us continue to grow in the future.

Randy W. Calicott
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
...

pdf

Share