Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-01


versal prayer of grateful rejoicing Benev-
olence has its triumph. 1t is victory not
for to-day, nor for our own time, but for an
other age, and all time--not for our own ma
ton, but for all nations, from generation to
generation, as long as the world shall last"
There is something more to the purpose
than all this. The utility of the Letheon
has received further development from the
experience of the great surgeons of Europe.
By its means, surgical operations of every
kind and degree of severity have been per-
formed without pain. In Paris, M. Gerdy,
a well known French surgeon of celebrity,
has communicated through Arago to the A
cademy of Sciences, the results of 4 trial of
the Suphuric Ether, which the Letheon is
now understood to be, upon himself The
effect was as follows. A general sensation
of numbness, similar to that produced by
opium, which dulled the sense oftouch. To
this effect is attributable the insensibility to
| pain in surgical operations. The sense of
hearing was to some extent affected, the sem
ses of taste and smell not much, and the
sense of sight not at all. The articulation
became slower; the intelligence remained
clear. The pulse remaining unaltered prov
ed that the circulation was not affected.
In using Sulphuric Ether certain precau-
tons are necessary. 1t should be pure
The test of its purity is its having density
of 735 or less, and its volume not being les
sened when agtated in minim measure,
with half its volume of a concentrated solu-
ton of muriate of lime. Sulphurc Ether
is made by mixing alcohol and sulphuric a.
cid together, and always contains sulphurous
acid and free alcohol, unless removed by lime
and subsequent distillation. The vapor OF
ether should not be inhaled without due
admixture of atmospheric air. With too
little it is irritating to the throat with too
much it is inert. 1t is well known that this
vapor, when combined with the common air,
constitutes an explosive gas. 1t therefore
behoves all while using it to avoid any light
ed body If during its inhalation an eX-
plosion should take place, it would probably
communicate itself>to the interior of the
chest of the patient, tear the bronchial tubes,
and literally reduce the lungs to atoms.
The effect of the ether is somewhat like
that of alcohol Mr.. Lawrence, the London
surgeon, tells us that he amputated the leg
of woman while she was drunk, and that
she was not aware oft until she became so
Der. We are told that in one case, the pa.
tient during severe operation was "givino
sly winks and facetious mods to those sur
rounding him. During the intervals of the
inhalation his observations were of the most
facetious Misunderstanding from the by.
ISLANDERS involuntary laughter, and convert
ing that which was to the poor fellow the
most tragic event into scene little short Of
a farce"
1t is mistake to suppose that the effect
of the inhalation of sulphuric ether is never
stimulating, and productive of increased
muscular action. There is a great similar
ity between the influence of nitrous oxide
laughing gas, and the ethereal vapor, upor
the system. The control of the will con
tinues to a certain degree, and the though
uppermost in the mind, Immediately prece
ding the inhalation, controls to some extern
the effect Thus, when nitrous oxide is ia
ken for amusement, it enlivens and increas
es muscular movement. 1t is the same with
the ether, which is frequently inhaled witt
the same object. Prior to a serious opera
ton, the mind of course is braced to endur
ance of pain, and the effect is reversed.
The experience is not yet sufficiently ex
tensve to Justify adecided opinion in regar,
to the safety of the ether in operations
How will the number of cures after opera
tons where the ethereal vapor is used, com
pare with that in cases where it is not? Al
extensive range of statistics will be necessar,
to decide this question. We are of opinion
that a wider observation will result in the
conclusion that the vapor of ether is by M
means of universal applicability in surgery
A man whose leg was amputated withou
pain (he having inhaled the vapor), the 9th
er day, in the City Hospital, died subse
quenty from inflammation of the membrane
covering the intestines (peritonitis), and up
on examining his body, the lungs were foun
studded over with military tubercles in thei
earliest stage (the beginning of consump
tion). The cause of death was probably in
dependent of the ether but how far wa
the disease of the lungs just commenced ow
ing to the introduction of this irritating va
porl Where there is any affection of tn
chest or disposition to it, the sulphuric eth
er is hardly safe. The same may be ais
said in regard to its use in certain condi
tions of the nervous system, debility, &c
1t was stated in the former notice of thi
subject, that there were cases on record o
dangerous results from breathing it. Dr.
Beck in his Medical Jurisprudence states o.
the authority of DIR. Mitchell, that Deliri
um, inflammation of the brain, and death
have resulted in consequence.
Sulphuric ether in its ordinary fluid forr
has long been used in the treatment of dis
ease. 1t has been applied for the first tim
in the form of vapor in case of Tetanu
Qockjaw) by DIR. Ranking, of London, bu
without success, the symptoms of the dis
ease being made worse by its use.
DR.. Simpson of Edinburgh has used
with good success in case of difficult par
turition.
In the archives Generates dc Medicine 10
the year 1898, we find record to the ehec
that a Mr.. Hickman, an English surgeon
had written letter to Charles X, announ
cling that he had, by means of the introduc
ton of certain gases into the lungs, succee
ded in rendering surgical operations pain
less. This passing allusion to the subject
all that can be discovered. 1t looks, howe,
err, like an anticipation of the Boston dis
covery
Optional sleep.
Pray, Jack, ara you asioep in said Ned: