Counting backwards : a doctor's notes on anesthesia / Henry Jay Przybylo, MD.

A moving exploration of the most common but most mysterious procedure in medicine.

Undergoing anesthesia is the source of great fear and fascination for many. Przybylo explores its history, from the famous first demonstration of anesthesia in the Ether Dome at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846 to today's routine procedure that controls anxiety, memory formation, pain relief, and more. He weaves his experiences as a pediatric anesthesiologist into an intimate exploration of the nature of consciousness, the politics of pain relief, and the wonder of modern medicine.

New York : W.W. Norton & Company, [2018]

xiii, 240 pages ; 22 cm

First edition.

A deep sleep -- Command center -- The five A's -- Railroad tracks -- Fear of the mask -- Nothing by mouth -- Heartbeats -- A most unusual patient -- Errors everlasting -- In wait -- Paper cranes -- A brain trapped in a box -- See one, do one, teach one -- Reentry -- Safe travels.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 231-240).