The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-16

IMPoRrA MT observation-disclosures Chi0rQf0rm.-
DR.. Jackson, of Boston, who claims to have discov
cred this valuable but sometimes dangerous agent
used in medical practice, has announced new
discovery, which is the of death from the in
halation of chloroform lie has long had strong
suspicious that the very sudden deaths were caused
by the presence of some poisonous compound Of
amyle, the hypothetical radical of fusel oil, the
oil of whisky, and began series of researches
upon this subject several years ago. Recently he
has resumed his experiments, and presents a Sc
ries of facts and inductions at which he has ar
rived
l. When cbloroform, and the alcoholic solution
of it called chloric ether, made from pure al
cohol, diluted with water, no fatal accidents &C.
Cured from its judicious administration.
2. When chloroform was made, as it now too
frequently is, from common corn, rye, and potato
whisky. deaths began to occur, even when the ut
most care was taken in its administration.
3. In the Chelsea case, where this kind of chic
rofarm probably contained in the alcoholic 30
luton incorrectly called Chloric ether, death took
place in a very sudden manner, and the post NOR
tem appearances on the subject indicated the usual
effects of poisoning by chloroform.
From these dat it might justly be inferred that
some poisonous matter exists in the cheap chloro-
form of commerce, and ! suspected that 1t arose
from the fuse oil which exists in whisky.
Ii my views are correct, it follows:
l. That all chloroiorm intended for inhalation as
an an9sfhetic agent should be prepared from pure
rectifed ALCOHOL to be diluted with water when used
| for distillation from hyperchlorite of lime.
2. That no druggist should sell for ansssthetc
uses any chloroform which ia not known to have
| been properly prepared above suggested.
g. That the mixture of chor oform and alcohol,
| commercially known under the name OF strong
chloric ether, must be made with the same pre-
| ca utions as cbioroorm.
There is eas danger OF the existence OF fuse oil
| in sulphuric ether, which is always made from
| strong rectihed alcohol.
| There is danger of the existence Of sui
phuric acid in this liquid and that it is danger.
| Gus poison, and it ID one readily detected and
persons will object inhaling ether containing it,
| on account of It's we'll known disagreeable odor OF
burning sulphur.
Fusel oil itself, according to the microscopic re-
searches Of my friend, DR.. Henry Z. Perkins, Of
| Newbury port, appears to act poison. His OK
| pcriments suggested by an article published
| by Mr.. Henry A. Hildreth, imputing the poisonous
| qualities of some kinds of chloroiorm to fusel oil
! contained in it.
1t is important, now that this fusci oil has been
| introduced into medicine remedy in phthisis
| that tho profession should know that when it ia in
hailed it may produce fatal results, and that great
caution is necessary in the use OF 30 powerful an
| agent. Administered, few drops at dose, by
| the stomach, il does no harm, but is undoubtedly
useful in some forms Of disease. Experience will
soon chow how far it ia remedial in tuberc uous
diseases; and this remedy is in good hands at pre-
sent, Dr. Morrill, Wyman and DR.. Perkins having
engaged in the researches as TO i,s medicinal use