1798 pneumatic institution for inhalation gas therapy
Early Treatment With Oxygen.
By Leigh JM.
Anesthesia.
1974, volume 29.
Pages 194-208:
Founded by Thomas Beddoes (1760 -1808).
Physician-philosopher in Bristol, England.
Employed Humphrey Davy (1778 -1829).
Brilliant young scientist.
Institute superintendent.
Employed James Watt (1736 -1819).
Engineer.
Manufactured gases.
Outgrowth of new knowledge about gases.
Such as oxygen & nitrous oxide.
Therapy based on incorrect assumptions.
Beddoes assumed some diseases would naturally respond to a higher or lower oxygen concentration.
Treatments offered no real clinical benefit.
Institute succumbed in 1802.
Humphrey Davy:
"Dreams of misemployed genius which light of experiment & observation has never conducted to truth".
Davy became famous in chemistry.
Was later knighted.