The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-17 00:00:00

A NEW ANXSTHETIC.

We learn from the Medical Times and Gazette
that a new anmsthetic has been brought to the
notice of the profession at Boston. For the present
it is called kerosolene, and it is found in the distil ha-
tion of the kerosene oil from the Albert coal. It
comes among the first products of the distillation,
and in large quantities. Professor H. J. Bigelow,
who has been testing its value for anmsthetic pur-
poses, gives the following account of it :—" This
fluid presents remarkable properties. It is taste-
less es water, volatile and inflammable as ether,
though burning with a dense white light; of a faint
chloroformwhich, as it evaporates, changes
to tar, and then disappears that of ocdooaulr, ,
abso-
lately and altogether; so that a handkerchief satu-
rated with the fluid has, at the end of a few minutes,
when dry, no odor at all, nor has the room or
i
atmosphere where t has been used any trace of ' its
presence. Both ether and chloroform leave, in dif-
ferent degrees, a persistent, fade, and stale aroma
after evaporation, as is well known. They are also
far less agreeable to inhale than this new ag-ent,
which has thus an obvious advantage over either
of them. A few whiffs were sufficient assurance of
its efficacy as an anmsthetic, which, with its other
qualities, as I ventured to remark, would place the
kerosolene beyond any known anmsthetic, pro_
vided its use was not followed by headache, ver-
tigo, or other unpleasant symptoms, and provided
it should prove as free from danger as ether. Sub-
sequently, I inhaled the new vapour, which Dr.
Hodges at my request administered. Com-
plete insensibility supervened, lasting several
minutes, with some diminution of the volume of
the pulse. Its effect was wholly agreeable, leaving
neither headache nor nausea, nor bad taste." After
describing three cases in which he has used it, in-
termitting pulse and partial asphyxia having been
produced, he says :—" In conclusion, it may be re-
marked of these three cases, that they are insuffi-
cient for satisfactory demonstration, and that their
common and unfavourable symptoms may well have
been but a coincidence; yet they suggest some cau-
tion in the use of the kerosolene vapour. It is pro-
bably more potent than that of ether, requires a free
admixture of air, and may produce upon the system
some impression of influence other than that of the
mere intoxication attendant upon the use of ether.
In awaiting further evidence it may be considered
established that kerosolene is an anmsthetic of un-
doubted efficacy, and that it possesses certain re-
markable and attractive properties peculiar to itself."

THE GREAT FIRE IN TOOLEY-ST.REET
ENORMOUS SAL VAGE.

Up to last night, the men employed by Messrs.
Toplis and Harding, the firm. entrusted to work
the ruins of the two fires out (am. that at Scovell's
wharf and that at Davis's-wharf, Tooley-sti ect),
had been successful in removing from each wharf
an amount of property that could be scarcely
credited, unless seen. At Davis's-wharf, when
and
d thet
h e excellent
fire
engineerr e
the sun is hot, the surface of the heaps of jute
has Tozer, a
beenr
not yet turned over becomes ignited ; but,
arrangements
rme3evinernt. st
Fe
ifmofor Mr. Foreman
J.
owingGeorgep
. Gerrard,t
extending beyond the surface of the bales. It is
confidently expected that. in the course of a few
days more, the whole of the jute will be removed
from Davis's wharf, which, when sold, will realise
something considerable for the insurance offices
interested, as each bale numbered 3 is worth £2
15s. ; each marked No. 4 is worth in the market
£2 ss. The Manilla, in its present state, has been
assessed at about 355. per cwt). or £2 los. per bale.
Taking into consideration that over 500 tons weight
of those articles have already been extricated, th e
whole, when put up by auction, will realise many
thousand pounds.
At Cotton's, the depot, Scovc.ll's and Hay's
wharves, not less than 100 tons weight of cotton has
since our last notice been got out, only slightly
damaged, nearly 2,000 bags of rice, and immense
heaps, some certainly greatly burned, and only fit
for manure. The quantity of grease recovered is
enormous, amounting to several hundred tons
weight ; the piles of jute also recovered are so ex-
tensive that they laave been obliged to be ware-
housed in different buildings in the neighbourhood.
Some hundreds tons of bagging, turmeric, salt-
petre, salted hides, skins and pieces, catch, tea,
cheese, and drugs have also been got oat of the
various ruins, and many hundred tons of black lead.
Mr. Stevens, of Hackney Wick, one of the largest
buyers of grease and flour, started off three ship-
loads of grease to the West of England yesterday.
The ironwork, such as columns, beams, and ties,
that has already been got out would cover if
stretched out some acres of land. This will also be
sold by Messrs. Toplis and Harding.. A large strong
room by John Tann and Son of Walbrook, paten-
tees of the reliance fire-resisting safe, upon being
opened by Mr. GLorge, was found to contain, in a
perfect state, the whole of the documents, coin,
notes, and warrants, of considerable value to the
parties interested. Over 1,000 tierces of provisions
more have been got out of Scovell's Wharf and
housed in Messrs. Zourest's arches, the Maze,
Tooley-street, the greater portion being in prime
condition and fit for human food.

THIS DAY'S MARKETS.