Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-09-24

ni iSIMroRTAsT DIscovERY.-Dr. Charles
T. Jackson, the distinguished chemist of this
city, snnounces in the Boston Medical and Sur
gicM Journal that he has made discovery of
the most important nature, viz: the cause of
death from the inhalation of chloroform. The
following is Dir. Jacksons letter to the Medical
Journal:
Poisonous ChlOroform.
To the Editor Of the Boston Medical and
Surgical Journal:
SIR-The numerous deaths which have re-
Gently taken place from the inhalation of chlo-
roforn, seem to require that should state what
know upon the subject, without waiting for
more extended researches which have now in
progress; for word IN time may save human
life, and | shall therefore present my views,
even though some may think that ought to
wait until my work is completed to its full ex>
tent before publication. | have formerly been
charged with dilatoriness in presenting my dis
coveres to the public, and wish to avoid rep
ctition Of this accusation, even though my work,
in It's present state is not 80 complete as would
be required for scientific purposes.
| have had strong suspicion that the very
sudden deaths resulting from the inhalation of
chorofOrm must have been produced by the
presence Of some poisonous compound of amyle,
the Hypothetical radical of tusel oil, or the oil
of whisky; and began series of researches
upon this subject several years ago, but was
called Oft from my work by unexpected perse-
cu,ions. This work | laye resumed, and will
now state what facts and nductions am able
to lay before the public.
lst. When chloroform, and the alcoholic So
luton of it called chorlc ether, was made from
pure achoho diluted with water, no fatal acci-
dents occurred from its judiclous admlnistra-
tlon.
3D. Whom chloroform was made, as it now
too frequently is, from common corn, rye and
potatoe whisky, death began to occur, even
when the utmost care was taken in It's admin
istratlon.
Sd. In the Chelsea case where this kind of
choroform was probably contained IN the al
coholic solution, incorrectly called choric cl-
thcr, death took place IN very sudden manner,
aud the post mortem appearances on the sub
ect indicated the usual EFFECTS Of poisoning by
choroform.
From these data, it might Justly be nferr d
that some poisonous matter exists IN the cheap
choroform of commerce, and suspected that
it arose from the Fusel oil which exists in the
whlskey. THIS opinion, at my suggestion, was
published by two Of my friends, to put the pub
lie on their guard. and those gentlemen urgent
ly advised that physicians and surgeons should
return to the use OF pure su phurlc erher (ox-
ide Of ethylc,) as Originally prescribed by me.
! 1t is well known that have always preferred
my original aneSthetc agent to all the substi-
tues that have been proposed since; but still
have always been willing to give the proposed
substitutes fair trial, and did try them all trs,
upon myself and then upon such of my pupils
as felt willing to allow the pertinent to be
made upon them | also in a measure com.
promised with that powerful anGsthetc agent
choroiorIn, by mixing small proportions Of it,
about one-tourth or fifth part, with suIphurlc
ether, so as to concentrate the anHsthetlu agen
into a smaller bulk, and have extensively uset
tins preparation in the production OF anHthesia
and without producing any dangerous or even
unpleasant symptoms in any case, but | Away,
took care to ascertain that the chloroiorm uset
by me was pure.
Having, during the last month, succeeded II
procuring some very pure tusel oil, (ot whisky
| undertook the researches winch have resulted
in the conviction that 1t Is the ample COMPOUND
TINT produces the poisonous matter of certall
kinds ofchoroform. When mixed with hyper
chloFlte of lime bleaching powder! and water
in tie same way as we prepare alchohol for tn
production and dstllatlon of choroform,
found that the mixture in the retort, after agita
ton and standing some time, became warm
indicating that reaction was takin. place be
tween the Fusel oil and the hyperahlqrite 0
lime.
After some hours the retort was placed in
water bath, and dstatlon was effected, tn
volaulzed liquid being condensed by means O
one of l4icb gs condensers. clear colores
liquid came over, which was at once rscognz
t ed rs having the peculiar adqr Of bud chloro
form. 1t is yerhaps ter chloride otqmWe, bu
has not yet been submitted to anayais. |.
so powerful that merely smelling Of it make
l one dizzy, and working over it made me so sic
that was obliged to 60 out of doors for fres
= air several times during my operation on it. |
t order to make sure that the Fusel oil was a
Y decomposed, again mixed the product of DIS
$ tllatlon above mentioned, with new lot Q
= bleaching powder and water; and after thrs
hous, with frequent agitation, it was again dis
titled, and gave what regard as the pure ur
e mixed poison. This | am now to test on sue
] animals as have proved good ether subjects, an
S shall make report Of my results in this journa
lfmy views are correct, 1t follows:--
; LIST. That all choroform intended for inhaio
a tion as an dpGsthstic agent should be prepare
from pure rsctifed dichohoi, to be diluted wit
e water when used for dls:lllaton from hyperchlc
h rtts 1I limo