Do the Right Thing

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Abstract
ONE hundred fifty years ago, surgery was performed under brutal conditions. Without benefit of anesthesia, patients endured excruciating pain; indeed, the belief was widespread that they could die from the "shock" of surgery. With the advent of anesthesia, this primitive and inhumane era passed. Adult patients could expect complete relief of pain during surgical procedures. Unfortunately, infants and children continued to receive inadequate relief of pain or even no treatment for pain during surgical procedures, and this is often still the case.The rationale for this situation is understandable, even if it is not defensible. Premature and critically ill infants . . .