Former Anesthetic is a term used to describe substances that were once used as anesthetics, or drugs that induce a state of unconsciousness. CHLOROFORM (10 letters) and ETHER (5 letters) are two examples of former anesthetics. CHLOROFORM was first synthesized in 1831 and was widely used as an anesthetic until the early 20th century. ETHER, on the other hand, was first used as an anesthetic in 1846 and was the most commonly used anesthetic until the late 19th century.