The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-27
For The Northern Tribune.

r..
thoughts upon this subject so vexed with con-
troversy, and in regard to which honest differ
ences of opinion will, undoubtedly, for long
time continue to exist. The manner in which
its wonderful effects we're discovered. and the
bitter controversy which has arisen between
the rival claimants for the honor OF the dis
covery, are now familiar matters. The rapidly
increasing use of Sulphuric Ether, as reme-
dial agent, has excited general and scarcely
les. acrimonious controversy in the communi.
ty. On the one hand it is maintained, that its
effects are uncertain, often injurious and al
ways hazardous on the other, that it is a
remedial agent of the highest value, an effec.
tual and complete relief from the pam attend
ant uron surgical operations, that it preserves
the system from the eAhausting depression
consequent upon severe operations, and when
administered with skill is rarely, if ever, pro-
ductive of harm. On each side Of the ques-
ton are found men whose profound science
opinions to more than ordinary respect. The
settlement of this dispute and the establish
ment on some solid and Ineligible basis of
the merits or dement's of Sulphuric Ether, are
vastly important, and due to the community.
To the end that some, whose pursuits and
qualifications fit them for the severe task of
eiciting the truth fl ON the maze of contradic-
tory opinions, which envelope this subject,
may he induced to give portion of their time
and efforts to this valuable purpose, hazard
few speculations rather than opinions.
That the discovery of which I speak is
fraught with incalculable benefit to mankind,
an accumulation of facts compel us to believe.
Sir Humphrey Davy and Beddoes, in the
midst of their comprehensive researches,
sought long and patiently, butin vain, for just
such an agent as i. here supplied. Something
to assuage or repress pain, in other words, tenn
porarily to suspend sensation, and so divest the
surgeons knife and caustc of their browning
terror, has for ages bafled the earnest endea-
vors of the most consummate proficients in
Chemistry and Medicine. This something. so
long and earnestly sought, has been at last
discovered.
But, disregarding the rule by which the val
ue of scientific discoveries is usually estimat
ed, the opponents of Ether have grounded
their faith on the very rare adverse cases
which have occurred, without yielding the
-ieast credit to the thousands upon thousands
of favorable ones, authenticated in their mi
nutest details by the most eminent surgeons of
Europe and America. That death or disease
has in some instances to1loaocd the inhalation
of Ether is doubtless true, but that they were
caused by it, has never yet been proved. 1t
would be strange indeed, if, in the nnumera-
BILE instances of its use, there should occur no
peculiarities of temperament or organization,
calculated to obstruct or pervert its legitimate
effects. To deny its value upon the ground of
isolated and anomalous cases, is as foreign to
sound reasoning, as to deduce general prin-
ciple from exceptions.
1t is not improbable that these adverse cases
may be satisfactorily explained. May not the
result be owing to the impurity of the Ether.
or to the unskilful mode of its administration ;
Two conditions have been found essential to its
safe and effectual use first, that the Ether to
be evaporated be pure. Second, that the
Dor when inhaled be diluted with due pro-
portion of common air, and to these third,
not less important, may be added, that it nerer
be administered except By person competent to
judqe of its effects, and acquainted ruth the Au-
mas, constitution. In the hands of empires
and itinerant n.is's, whose knowledge has
not reached the rudiments Of their own art it
NAV well be considered uncertain and hazard
0us. When discovery is new, speculations