New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-03-04
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


~ "ETHER AND CHLoRoFORM," by j. &.
B. FLAGG, NJ. D., published by Lindsay
Blackistion, is devoted to a scientific discussion
of these an@sthetic agents, accompanied with
copous report of cases occurring in wide range
of medical practice. Dr. Flagg, after an extern
siye experience in the use of ether and chloro-
form, is strenuous advocate of their utility, aud
calls in question the dangerous effects which have
been supposed to attend their administration.
His volume is both practical aud instructive. and
deserves large circulation. With regard to the
conflicting claims of the different alleged authors
of the discovery, DR.. Flagg makes the following
statement:
/. To Sir Humphrey Davy unquestionably be-
longs the credit OF first suggesting the idea oil ~
haling into the lungs some agent which would
deaden sensibility during painful surgical opera
tons.
Q. To Mr.. Horace Wells, of Hartford NOV de.
ceased) as unquestionably belongs the merit OF
having first demonstrated this happy idea, by
using both nitrous oxide and suphurc ether Tor
this purpose.
2. To DR.. Charles I. Jackson, of Boston, the
thanks of the world due for lending that influ-
ence which his well earned reputation so admlra-
bIv qualified him 70 do, in establishing confidence
in the public mind in the use of sulphuric ether,
az a substitute for the nitrous oxide; and
4 To w. T. q. Morton dentist, OF Boston, we
are under obligations for his interchangeable exer
tons in securing the attention OF leading medical
men TO this subject, and thus rapidly expeditIng
the use of sulphurio ether in connection with the
practice of surgery.
Some curious experiments are related by DR.. +.
showing that the patient under the influence oil
cbloroform often exhibits symptoms resembling
those which take place in the biological OF
archaeological" condition, as it is called by some
popular lecturers
One of the most beautiful experiments have
ever witnessed, illustrative OF the controuaole
effects of ether by the motive for It's use, was at
the residence Of friend In Spruce ST. about two
The ether was sent for, to be used by one Of the
ladies who was suffering from irritation OF the
throat. ard attended with cough. In the course
of the evening it was desired by one OF the CON
pany that q certain gentlemen present should IN
hale it Tor the amusement OF all assembled 10
this proposition the gentleman some what de-
INJURED stating that he was not afraid TO take II,
but as nothing was the matter with MIN, there
could be no object beyond idle curiosity which he
felt no inclination TO indulge At that moment. L
explained that good motive could be found for
his taking it, if he felt willing to assist in little
experiment u,. h.o,a :; ..;o,
that my patients had expressed to me their utter
impossibility of doing any way different from what
I directed them to do, as, for example, If they ct
tempted TO get out of the chair, my saying sit
still to them was q law too potent for them TO
think of breaking or If they inclined TO laugh, my
suggestion OF perfect quiet and calmness was
as instantly obey it occurred TO me 10 propose
the following experiment. One OF the ladies was
20 administer the ether TO this gentleman, with
the express understanding that he was to obey
any directions she might give him while under It's
influence, II, by possibility he could do so.
The ether was inhaled sufficiently 10 secure
painless operation, had il been necessary to ex-
tract a tooth; aud the lady Immediately asked
him, " W hat o clock is il r. His hand was car
ried to his vest pocket to remove bis watch, he
hesitated moment, and then carried his hand TO
the same place. lie soon changed his hands very
rapidly In the vicinity OF his watch, bat did not
take il out While doing SO, the lady requested
him to s.ag. The gentleman was known 20 pos
aess considerable musical powers, but the noise
he made resembled more the bowling of a wolf
than any thing else could liken it 70. He then
whisted about much of tune as he sang bat
soon stopped, and getting up, made castanets Of
his fingers, walked around his chair, and resamed
bis seat. The ether passed of The gentleman
put his hand 70 bis head aud exclaimed, 80!
heavenly"
When entirely restored 70 himself he gave this
explanation. He knew everything that had
transpired When the lady asked him the
slime, be was not prepared for the question, and
felt some what confused bat recoected that he
was 10 obey this lady. 10 feeling tor his watch il
occurred 70 him, as he coR!d not see, Il would be
folly for him to take it OUT aud he moved his
hands about 70 indicate that folly. When re-
quested 10 sing, he was equally taken by sur
prise, II not more so than az tirst for no was not
quite clear in bis mind thas he had complied with
the lady brat requirement, or that she fully IN
derstoOd him. Still ne felt binding ooligati 20
do his best. What 20 sing became nov a serious
question with him, and the noise be made was
irving bis voice. He was aware that there vas
no regularity or graduation Vi sounds, bat he could
not help it, la his anxiety to obey, and indlng
he could not sing be attempted 70 whistle. Here
he was az much at q loss for tune at drst,
when lucky expedient presented itself IF
dance and keep time" he thought, " she must be
satisfied that have done all in the way OF music
IL Is possible for me TO do and this gentleman
attributes large share OF bis happiness % being
able 70 accomplish the dance. He likewise as
eerts that he knew Of no one being present but
die lady who administered the ether. He saw
nothing N the room, and did not know where he
was until the ether passed or
One Of the most frequent and uniiorm effects OF
the ether Is peculiar rafting noise in tho ears,
very much resembling that produced by a train of
railroad cars when Ia rapid motion SO tnaeh 81.
indeed, We can often suggest a pleasure excor.
slon BY this means OF travelling, and taus secure
plessUiSble dream.