The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-12-29
MIS- ELL A n EO q s.
Progress of Science.

chloFofofm and ether. These expert
menis were confined to dogs, cats, rab-
bits, and the like. He would plunge
the animals head into bladder con-
tanning only chloroform vapors, or into
O bladder where the chloroform vapor
was mixed with a given quantity OF at
mospheric air, or the chloroform was
administered by concave sponge,
which was gradually carried to the
animals nose, and which was kept be-
fore the nostrils, so that free current
of air and of chlornfnrm were simnl-
taneously introduced. In the hrst case
the action of the chloroform was IN
stantaneous, and the heart and resPlra-
iion were Immediately arrested In
the second case the same phenomena
were observed but not with the same
rapidity. In the third case the progress
of the phenomena was slow compared
TO the former. In the first series OF ex-
periments, where the quantity OF chlo-
rofnrm absorbed was considerable, all
the phenomena are, so to say, confound-
ed together, the intoxication is SO rapid !;
the resolution, the absence OF resplra-
ton, and the cessation of the contrac-
tons of the heart, take place, SO 10
say. at the same moment; while these
same phenomena were distinct and ca
silly analysed, in the experiments where
the hematosis and the anesthesla &C.
Cured al the same time. When the
chloroform was administered with mix
ture, the experiment succeeded. Though
not without difficulty notwithstanding
lis instantaneous effects, in recalling
to life a few animals, whose hearts still
contracted, although their beatlnss
could no longer be felt When GER
tain quantity Of air was mixed with 'he
chlornform, the respiration and the
beatings Of the heart persisted longer
and less difficulty was experienced IN
obtaining the same results
Nj. Joheri de Lambele says that he
is firmly convinced that 50 soon as the
heart has ceased TO perform It's tunc~
lions. ii is idle to eGdeaver 10 recall
life which has fed away forever; but
he is as firmly convinced that II the
heart has any-the least contraetlons,
they may be recalled 10 their normal
number by the application OF eiectncI-
ziy. Two methods have been employed
IL direct electricity upon the vital or
gans, or upon the agents which trans
nit to them motion and senslblhfy-
Either it has been excitedepn the sur
face Of the body by exciting sponges'
or il has been directed through the Or
gans by the aid of The eelectro-puncture.
Its action upon the sensitive and moving
part of the body has been constant, ano
when vitality was not altogether ex'
tiuct it has invariably awakened the
nervous system, terminated the iunc-
fions, and revived the muscular con-
fractions. One of the most striking re-
suits of electricity is its influence over
the stupefyine action Of chloroform.-
The whole animal machine, when sub
mit,ed 10 the action Of the electric
battery, is rapidly awakened. AS the
shocks are increased, the muscles ln-
crease their contractions; the exterior
and the interior muscles are equally M
fuenced by the regenerating fluid, SO
that sensibility and motion are both ex-
cited, which is the great object to
which the operator should aim. He
cannot decide whether the effect OF
electricity is TO maintain the vitality OF
the animal, and allow the chiorotorm
TO exhanst its ioxical influence, or, by
.ditectIy neutraFzing the choroform !;
but il appears TO him that its effects are
10 increase the nervous influence, and
consequently to maintain the muscular
action and the vitality, until the COM
ple,e disappearance of the chloroform,
either by evaporation oy the mucous
surfaces, {aad especially the lungs or
escaping by the secretions.
In short, M. Jober, de Lamballe's
opinion Of electricity is, that notwith-
standing its energy, it cannot revive
,,he eoosractions ofthe heart when
they have altogether ceased TO exist !;
,but when the circulation is not yet
completely stopped, where there exists
some vitality nxhe animal, electricity
applied upon the baecal and rectal
mucous surfaces sufhces to revive the
organs, and recall the functions OF the
organism. Ia extreme cases, when
vitalify is merely spark, the electro
nnnctule should be used that alone
has sufficient power to bring the organs
from their torpor and their sideration.
n 50 perileus circumstances the re-es-
tahi;shmsnt of circulation and OF re-
....a.;o, sp;u not take place lmmedl-