Milestone · 31 October 1885

James Leonard Corning publishes his neuraxial experiments

On 31 October 1885, James Leonard Corning published his experiments injecting cocaine near the spine. They represent an early step in neuraxial anaesthesia, probably extradural rather than intrathecal.

James Leonard Corning, portrait circa 1900; the photograph postdates the 1885 experiments.
Credit and rights
Auteur inconnu · Lanska DJ (Neurology, 2002) / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Original source · Licence

Documentary sources

October 31 — On This Day in Medical History
LITFL · Historical date : 1885-10-31

Historical note. The anniversary date is distinct from later discoveries and publications.

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