The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-07
J. H0LC0MB, Editor & Publisher,

then commenced At the first stroke of tn
knife he clapped his hand on the wound, bu
| Immediately seized and held it during TIL,
remainder Of the operation, though not with
out some difficulty in consequence Of hi
struggles. The operation was completed il
two or three minutes, and the patient remain
ed quietly on his back with his eyes closed
On examination the pupils were found tC
be dilated: the pulse was not materially affect
ed. After he had lain about two minutes
reused him by the inquiry " How do you dc
to-day ?" to which he replied, every well,
thank you" then asked him what he had
been doing? He said he believed he had
home, and making some examination into
How is that tumor of yours Z" The patient
moment, and said ait is gone, and Pm glad
of it." l then inquired if he had felt any pain
during the operation, to which he replied in
the negative. He soon recovered his natural
state, and experienced no inconvenience from
the Inhalation, was remarkably free from
pain, and in three days went home into the
country.
In all these cases there was decided nit
igation of pain in most of them the patients
on the day after the operation, and at other
times, stated, that they had not been concious
of pain. All those who attended were, |
think satisfied of the efficacy of the applica-
ton in preventing, or at least, greatly dimin-
ishing the suffering usual in such cases The
phenomena presented in these operations at-
ford grounds for many interesting reflections,
but it being my principal intention at this
time to give simple statement of facts, |
shall not pursue the subject further, but close
with two or three remarks.
1st The breathing of the ethereal vapor
appears to operate directly on the cerebral
system and the consequent insensibility is
proportionate to the degree of cerebral affec-
ton.
2d. Muscular power was for the time sus-
pended in some cases, in others its loss was
partial, and in one instance was scarcely sem
sible. The great relaxation of muscular ac-
ton produced by full dose of the application
leads to the hope that it may be employed
with advantage in cases of Spasmodic affection
both by the surgeon and physician.
Sd. The action of the heart is remarkably
accelerated in some cases, but not in all.
4th. The respiration is sometimes stertor-
GUS, like that of apoplexy.
All these charges soon pass off, without
leaving any distinct traces behind them and
the ordinary state of the functions returns.
This has been the course of things in the cas-
es have witnessed, but think it quite prob
able, that so powerful an agent may some
times produce other and even alarming effects.
| therefore would recommend, that it should
never be employed except under the in
spection of judicious and competent person.
Let me conclude by congratulating my
professional brethren on the acquisition
of mode of mitigating human suffering,
which may become valuable agent in the
hands Of careful and well instructed FRACTION
ers, even if it should not prove of such gem
cral application as the imagination ofsanguinc
persons would lead them to anticipate.
Boston, December 3, 1916.