Halsted

“Halsted devised an ether cone, which would allow a greater admixture of air for the patient to breathe. Blood loss was sharply reduced, aseptic technique ruled, anesthetic dose was reduced, and in abdominal operations sterile gauze soaked in sterile saline solution was used to protect the intestines from trauma and drying. Patients were kept warm after surgery, the foot of the bed was raised slightly, and replacement fluids were given by rectum to prevent postoperative shock” (Imber 203-04).