Karl Koller - the discoverer of the local anaestheticproperties of cocain, was born in Susice! A short history of local anaesthetics
2014
Abstract
A memorial plaque has been ceremonially set up on the native house of Doctor Karl Koller in Sušice in South-Western Bohemia on the 2nd of December 2012 to mark Dr Koller's 155th birth anniversary on the 3rd of December 1857. After completing his studies, Dr Koller worked as an ophthalmologist in Vienna where he discovered the local anaesthetic action of cocaine.
However, shortly afterwards he was forced to leave Vienna and settle in the USA to continue his career in ophthalmic medicine. Cocaine was applied not only topically but was also used in other techniques of regional anaesthesia.
It is a toxic and addictive substance. Nowadays it has been replaced by safer and more efficient drugs.