Complete insensitivity to pain. Often used during surgery and dentistry to make the experience more comfortable and reduce shock and bleeding, making recovery faster and more likely. Although forms of anesthesia were in use in ancient times, the first well-documented modern use of anesthesia was recorded by Dr. James Esdaille. In the mid-1800s, he performed hundreds of surgeries in India using Hypnosis for Anesthesia. He became quite famous and people from all over came to him. When he brought it back to England, he was mocked and hounded by religionists. Before he could prove his point, the use of chloroform for anesthesia was introduced.