[Importance of the daily and political newspapers in Madrid on the introduction, popularization and awareness of anesthesia].

The introduction of surgical anesthesia in Spain and its spread throughout the country between 1847 and 1848 was facilitated by several medical journals and new daily and political newspapers in existence at the time, particularly in Madrid. This study was undertaken to determine the possible impact of articles reporting the discovery of anesthesia that were published in the contemporary daily press. Research involved a review of the daily press in Madrid, where most newspapers were published. We found 141 references to events surrounding the introduction of anesthesia in Spain in 24 Madrid newspapers. Analysis of the articles revealed how the daily press contributed to the rapid dissemination of information about the discovery. The press provided an important means of spreading news about and popularizing anesthesia and was also an instrument for exchanging scientific opinion for Spanish surgeons of the day.