Chloroform, a colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet odor, is primarily known for its historical use as an anesthetic. It is produced through a chemical reaction involving ethanol, bleach, and acetone.
In the 19th century, chloroform played a significant role in medical procedures as it allowed for painless surgeries. Its anesthetic properties were discovered by Scottish physician James Young Simpson in 1847. However, due to its potential side effects, including liver damage and even death, chloroform gradually fell out of favor as an anesthetic and was replaced by safer alternatives.
