Eric Anson
Encyclopedia
Dr Eric Anson was New Zealand
's first specialist anaesthetist.
He was the first President of the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists (NZSA) and a member of the NZ Committee of the Faculty of Anaesthetists.
Anson was born in Wellington
and educated at Wangurai Collegiate School. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge
, and then to St Thomas's Hospital, whence he graduated in January 1916. He served in the Royal Navy
in World War I
, and in May 1917 was wounded in action. After the war, he worked as an anaesthetist in Birmingham
before returning to New Zealand in 1922 to practise anaesthetics as a specialty — the first New Zealander qualified to do so.
Between the wars Anson practised in Wellington and was a key figure in the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association
. During World War II
he served in the New Zealand Army Medical Corps, both in Egypt and on the hospital ship Oranje. From late 1945 to 1957 he was Director of Anaesthetics to the Auckland
hospitals, where he was a pioneer in cardiothoracic anaesthesia
. He was especially well regarded by Sir George Douglas Robb
for his ability to have his patients wake up promptly enough to say "Thank you, Mr Robb" before leaving theatre.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's first specialist anaesthetist.
He was the first President of the New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists (NZSA) and a member of the NZ Committee of the Faculty of Anaesthetists.
Anson was born in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
and educated at Wangurai Collegiate School. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, and then to St Thomas's Hospital, whence he graduated in January 1916. He served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and in May 1917 was wounded in action. After the war, he worked as an anaesthetist in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
before returning to New Zealand in 1922 to practise anaesthetics as a specialty — the first New Zealander qualified to do so.
Between the wars Anson practised in Wellington and was a key figure in the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the New Zealand Army Medical Corps, both in Egypt and on the hospital ship Oranje. From late 1945 to 1957 he was Director of Anaesthetics to the Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
hospitals, where he was a pioneer in cardiothoracic anaesthesia
Cardiothoracic anesthesiology
Cardiothoracic anesthesiology is a subspeciality of the medical practice of anesthesiology devoted to the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery and related invasive procedures...
. He was especially well regarded by Sir George Douglas Robb
George Douglas Robb
Sir George Douglas Robb was a New Zealand surgeon, medical reformer, writer, and university chancellor. He was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and at the University of Otago...
for his ability to have his patients wake up promptly enough to say "Thank you, Mr Robb" before leaving theatre.