Scottish Society of Anaesthetists

Minute books 1914-1993; Minutes of the Executive Council Meetings 1975-1987; Minutes of Council Meetings 1988-2004; Papers relating to Council 1951-2006; The Constitution; AGM papers; AGM Minutes; AGM Meetings; Correspondence regarding Gillies Memorial Lecture; Caithness Glass; Guest Lecturers; Golf Outings; Presentation on Hypnosis; Overseas Lecturers and Travel Grants; Additional Meetings; Joint Meetings; Representation on Outside Committees; Membership Details; Publications including copies of the Newsletter, Annals of the Society (1990-1994 missing Jan., Dec. 1991, Dec. 1992, Jan., Dec., 1993, Dec. 1994), and a centenary booklet produced in 2015 ; Correspondence and Papers 1932-1971; Deaths under Anaesthesia 1935-2000; Staffing in Scotland 1959-1996; Accommodation 1971-1997; Correspondence with external organisations 1973-1984; Document regarding the National Medical Consultative Committee 1978; 1979 Presidential address; the implication of Devolution on Anaesthesia 2003; Guidelines for pre-operative assessment routines 1980-1992; Acceptance as a charity 1986-1992; Distinction awards; Report on minimal access surgery; News of members 1990-1998; Further correspondence on assistance (nursing) 1984-1991; Discussion paper on the Shaw Report 1988; Information on Meetings and Society Matters; Purchase of the President’s Chain and a list of past Presidents 1989-2003; Severe allergic reaction to anaesthetic agents 1989-2006; Draft Guide on consent for examination or treatment 1990; NHS waiting list initiative 1992; Minimal access surgery 1993-1994; Further AGM correspondence; Standing Committee; Use of the SSA crest in ‘The History of Anaesthesia in Postage Stamps (2000); Enquiries regarding pioneer Winifred Woods; Further correspondence on the President’s Chain; Anaesthesiology Reports; Health Education Board Scotland and the Scottish Medical Forum 1998-2003; Guest lecturers and travelling fellowships 2003-2004; Accounts Book 1914-1952.

The Scottish Society of Anaesthetists was founded on February 1914 in Edinburgh at the Balmoral Hotel, following a dinner of gentlemen practising the speciality of Anaesthetics in Scotland to further the study of the science and practice of Anaesthetics and the proper teaching thereof, and to conserve and advance the interests of Anaesthetists. The Society consisted of Honorary Members, Ordinary Members, a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary Treasurer and an Executive formed by the aforementioned office bearers together with four elected ordinary members. The annual subscription was half a guinea. The first meeting was held in the Guild Hall in Edinburgh on April 18th 1914. There was a break in the proceedings from 1914-1918 and the second meeting was not held until November 29th 1919 in the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. The first woman, Dr J. Swann of Glasgow was admitted to the society in 1925. A Presidential badge of Office was designed and approved in 1937. Meetings were again cancelled due to war from 1939 and resumed in 1950 in Dunblane. Membership increased reflecting the interest in anaesthesia during war time and the introduction of the National Health Service. The Registrar's Prize, for the best paper submitted by a younger member was instigated in at his time and Dr Gillies (president elect since 1939) proposed a guest speaker should be invited to future meetings. The first Registrar's Meeting took place in Glasgow 6th October 1950. The Central Consultants and Specialists Committee (Scotland) agreed to the formation of a sub-committee in Anaesthetics in 1952. The popular programme of entertainment for members' partners at the annual meeting and the golf tournament was instituted in 1957. The first Scientific Meeting was held in Edinburgh in 1960. The Society Newsletter was issued in 1960 and was renamed in 1989 as the Annals of the Scottish Society of Anaesthetists in 1989. A sub committee was set up in 1961 to discuss the reporting of deaths in anaesthesia and a report and new form was issued. An official neck tie for members was introduced in 1967. The Gillies Memorial Lecture was set up in in 1977 in memory of Dr John Gillies. The Society was accepted as a charity in 1986. The Society is active today and continues to have many links with other organisations both nationally and internationally.

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