The Role of the International Anesthesia Research Society in the History of Anesthesia

The Editors-in-Chief of Anesthesia & Analgesia Over 100 Years: Creating the Voice of the Global Anesthesiology Community

“…Third, Dr Shafer continued to enlarge Anesthesia & Analgesia ’s digital footprint by inviting multimedia content and encouraging hyperlinks to related websites. 11 In 2009, “Publish Ahead of Print” articles began to appear electronically several weeks before they did in print. 32 In 2011, a new Echo Didactics section was added to the preexisting Echo Rounds, highlighting “representative” cases of classic echocardiographic findings to help readers prepare for basic or advanced transesophageal echocardiography certification.…”

“…10 In spite of Dr McMechan's physical debility, his correspondence with nearly anyone connected with anesthesiology and his extensive domestic and international travels throughout the 1920s-all enabled by Mrs McMechan's support-ensured the journal's success. 3,11 For Laurette McMechan's herculean efforts on behalf of the journal, the IARS, and the specialty, she became known throughout the world as the "Mother of Anesthetists." 3 That summer, Mrs Mechan and the IARS Board rejected a proposal made by leaders of the new and thriving American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) that the ASA and IARS merge into 1 large anesthesia organization with a single journal.…”

“…24 Four more societies would affiliate with Anesthesia & Analgesia during Dr Miller's tenure: the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia (1996), the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (1996), the International Society for Anaesthetic Pharmacology (2000), and the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (2001). 11 These were mutually beneficial arrangements, as the journal gained the expertise of top subspecialists at the same time that the societies could reach a broader audience. 25 With Anesthesia & Analgesia now serving as the official journal of these organizations, the number of manuscript submissions grew.…”

Origins of the International Anesthesia Research Society, Anesthesia & Analgesia, and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists: Lasting Legacies of Francis McMechan, MD

“…1 The leaders of NYSA and ASA repeatedly invited Dr McMechan to join their effort, but the intrepid leader of AAUSC and IARS insisted on working apart from the AMA, free from its control. 9…”

“…When NARS became IARS in 1925, equipment or drug manufacturers who were not also physicians or scientists with doctorate degrees were now excluded from membership. 8,9 Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, IARS, AAUSC, and the related "McMechan organizations" jointly held a large annual meeting. The Congress of Anesthetists was an important venue for sharing scientific information, for meeting manufacturers of anesthesia equipment and pharmaceuticals, and for developing a strong sense of community among the small group of physician anesthetists who were dispersed throughout the nation (and the world).…”