Frederic Hewitt lecture 1977. Anaesthesia as a career.

The contribution of Frederic Hewitt (1855-1916) to the development of the specialty of anaesthesia is acknowledged and his reasons for becoming an anaesthetist explored. Three hundred and forty-nine replies to a questionnaire on professional philosophy, status and training sent to 676 anaesthetists who joined the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland during the years 1972-1975 are assessed. The factors which influence a medical practitioner to take up anaesthesia and find satisfaction in its practice are explored in the light of these replies and suggestions are made with regard to the future of the specialty.