Harold Griffith
Encyclopedia
Harold Randall Griffith (July 25, 1894–1985) was a Canadian anesthesiologist
and a leader in the fields of anesthesiology.
He was born in Montreal, the son of Alexander Randall Griffith, a medical doctor and homeopathic practitioner. His own medical studies at McGill University
were interrupted by World War I, when he was awarded the Military Medal
for bravery at Vimy Ridge. He graduated from McGill University
in 1922, later became the first President of the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society (now Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society), and the first elected president of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA).
To supplement his medical degree, he studied homeopathic medicine at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. He joined his father in private practice, specialising in anaesthetics and on his death in 1936 succeeded him as medical director of the Montreal Homeopathic Hospital (in 1951 renamed Queen Elizabeth Hospital), where he was noted for the precision of his clinical records. His brother James Griffith was also a medical doctor, surgeon in chief at the same hospital from 1937 to 1966.
He introduced use of ethylene
(1923) and cyclopropane
(1933) into Canadian anaesthetic practice.
On January 23, 1942, with Resident Enid Johnson
, he used curare
for the first time during anesthesia to produce muscle relaxation in human patients undergoing surgery.
Anesthesiologist
An anesthesiologist or anaesthetist is a physician trained in anesthesia and peri-operative medicine....
and a leader in the fields of anesthesiology.
He was born in Montreal, the son of Alexander Randall Griffith, a medical doctor and homeopathic practitioner. His own medical studies at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
were interrupted by World War I, when he was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
for bravery at Vimy Ridge. He graduated from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in 1922, later became the first President of the Canadian Anaesthetists' Society (now Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society), and the first elected president of the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA).
To supplement his medical degree, he studied homeopathic medicine at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. He joined his father in private practice, specialising in anaesthetics and on his death in 1936 succeeded him as medical director of the Montreal Homeopathic Hospital (in 1951 renamed Queen Elizabeth Hospital), where he was noted for the precision of his clinical records. His brother James Griffith was also a medical doctor, surgeon in chief at the same hospital from 1937 to 1966.
He introduced use of ethylene
Ethylene
Ethylene is a gaseous organic compound with the formula . It is the simplest alkene . Because it contains a carbon-carbon double bond, ethylene is classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Ethylene is widely used in industry and is also a plant hormone...
(1923) and cyclopropane
Cyclopropane
Cyclopropane is a cycloalkane molecule with the molecular formula C3H6, consisting of three carbon atoms linked to each other to form a ring, with each carbon atom bearing two hydrogen atoms...
(1933) into Canadian anaesthetic practice.
On January 23, 1942, with Resident Enid Johnson
Enid Johnson Macleod
Enid Johnson Macleod was a Canadian anaesthetist and medical doctor.-Biography:She was born Gladys Enid Johnson in Jacksonville, New Brunswick and spent much of her early life in Nova Scotia....
, he used curare
Curare
Curare is a common name for various arrow poisons originating from South America. The three main types of curare are:* tubocurare...
for the first time during anesthesia to produce muscle relaxation in human patients undergoing surgery.
Recognition
McGill University established the Harold R Griffith Research Chair in Anesthesia in 1992.External links
- http://www.general-anaesthesia.com/harold-griffith.html