Not really stepping on my toes, Hoopie. I am neither an anesthesiologist nor a plastic surgeon, so this discussion is peripheral to my professional life. If we all felt like every post was stepping on our toes, we would be angry and miserable. I choose not to live that way, as you do (how else can you explain that happy dog picture as an avatar?!). :thumbup:

I'm glad you posted that. I remember the Avatar issue. It made me laugh. Especially the need for 1000 post before you could get one. 200 also sounded like another number that was bouncing around. Maybe that was somewhere else.

Sorry for the suspense. I would have replied but didn't get to it before UCrew posted the link to the explanation. I will add also that I chose the handle of "PersonaNonGrata" at the same time we were getting banned at RF. I had to create a new user name to post because my Kevin(R) handle had been suspended by the admins so I chose PNG since I was no longer welcome at RF. I was the first to get the clamp down. I posted a few times in the wake of things, using the PNG handle. I have kept it ever since as a subtle reminder of where we came from.

Main Entry: per·so·na non gra·ta
Pronunciation: p&r-'sO-n&-"nän-'gra-t&, -'grä-
Function: adjective
Etymology: New Latin, unacceptable person
: personally unacceptable or unwelcome

Here are the only two appearances by me and my alter ego, Hello Kitty.

Pic from my ZZ Top Tour gig

Pic from The 2006 Coachella Music Festival

;)

Thanks very much for the explanations. Now I know the rest of the story.

Here's the story behind my screen name:

asawadude
Pronunciation: ah-sah-wa-dood
Conjunction of the following words:
asawa (tagalog) (1.) Husband/wife spouse (term of reference)
dude (English) (1.) fellow, guy

New world definition
Asawadude (1.) Husband guy. (2.) Personal chaffeuer. (3.) Head of complaint department. (4.) Voice of reason. (5.) Best friend.

good luck with your PS.

Don't think I need to explain my avator or username. I think it a real cool one though:thumbup:

Yup, you have the cutest tail around :D

Anesthesia
 

To call anesthesia a poison might be a bit harsh!

A poison is : a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs.

I would like to think that a general anesthetic includes agents that provide amnesia, analgesia and cardiac stablility that usually do not kill , injure or impair in the presence of a trained anesthesia provider.

General anesthesia consists of inhalational agents , narcotics , benzodiazepines, hypnotics , & muscle paralytics for the most part.. A balanced anesthetic can consist of just one or all of the above depending on the nature of the procedure and the choice/experience of the anesthetist(nurse or M.D.).

It is true that each of the individual components has a lethal dose(which varies according to age , weight , volume of distribution).

While one does get to choose u're surgeon most people don't get to choose their anesthesia provider but obviously vigilance, competence and experience are mandatory...

I guess we agree. I said a controlled poison. You said each has a leathal dose. If given too much, it kills.

Impairs? I would call anesthesia a poison.