The Beginnings of Modern Anaesthesia

Prior to 1960 open ether anaesthesia was still being administered in the operating theatres at Ipswich Hospital. In 1961 Dr Sam Garozzo was appointed as the Ipswich Hospital’s first Visiting Anaesthetist and introduced machine anaesthesia to Ipswich.

Sam’s first experience of Medicine came during World War 2 when he served as a private in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. When the War ended he enrolled in Medicine at the University of Queensland from where he graduated in 1951. Dr Garozzo came to Ipswich in 1954 after experience as a Resident Medical Officer at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Brisbane and the Bundaberg Hospital.

He then became an Honorary Anaesthetist at the Mater Hospital before being appointed as Visiting Anaesthetist at the Ipswich Hospital. When he was appointed he held no postgraduate qualification. This was rectified in 1964 when he went to England, where he gained a Diploma in Anaesthetics from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

During nearly 22 years’ service at the hospital he saw the introduction of many new anaesthetic agents and muscle relaxants and trained numerous junior staff. At the time of his retirement in 1983 it was mentioned: “He has given long and totally dedicated service.”

He was no stranger to the Maternity Staff, a member of which recalled that, “We always felt safe when Sam was about.”

Source: “The Ipswich Hospital 1860-1991” Ross Patrick. 1993.