Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-02-06
AnaSthetics.

prper at this time that Il word 4,
cation as we'll as of explanation b
sal ON the subject
hose persons whose experieno
ds not reach back to the day
WEN unmitigated pain and horro
atnded surgical operations, ca,
hmly appreciate what a grand tri
uph the discovery of anwsthetic
rely was. To mitigate or preven
II painful agonies incident to sur
gal operations had been the goa
oAspiring surgeons; and from tim,
memorial their dream had beer
u discovery ofsome lethean agent
trender mankind insensible to
pn during surgical operations,
II dream was only realized some
tty-six years ago in the almost
smltaneous discovery by differ
persons of the an1sthetic pow
elot nitrous oxide gas, ether and
cbrotorm; and these have rovolu-
tiized the practice Of surgery.
arious bad effects attended or
flowed their early use in some
cS; and occasionally even deaths,
I'm chloroform, whether given
ale or with ether &e. Gradually
Itlpcculim qualities, powers, and
etts Of t3e three agents have been
leled; 50 that now n glance at
tn known physiological effects,
th is, their action on man in
hth discloses their absolute and
reive safety, danger and utility.
n nitrous oxide gas, although
atst exhilarating, is an asphyxi-
at agent, insensibility being al |
WI ca Ioined with partial asphyx-
iaCcommon air deprived of its
oxen also causes asphyxia, which
isnply a want Of free oxygen in
tblood. The gas sometimes in
dS anesthesia in a few seconds;
weh with safety may be main
lned Just as long rs the subject
ay be safely deprived of air,
trying period in different cases.
le condition subsidies as quickly
1t is induced, the moment the
$ is discontinued, and leaves no
q effects behind. Only two cases
death have been ascribed to its
e, Notwithstanding the hundreds
thousands of inhalations, and
. two may be rejected as not
oven.
Pure ether - only the stronger '
Ter like Squibbs' is fit for indu- .
g anRsthesia - acts chiefly on {
brain and other great nerve I
tires. AT the outset it causes a I
choking sensation, then
ntal excitement, perhaps with q
sterous or violent demonstrations |
Jig few moments, and gencr- c
unconsciouaness and insensi- Y
ty in the course Of five TO ten
lutes. Anasthesia should not be u
ned beyond complete insensi- 2
ty; and deep snoring respiration u
lcatlng present or impending D
Gus implication of the nervous ci
,re Of respiration, is a signal of .
ger requiring the immediate y
pension Of the anmsthctica. IL
he'd beyond the bounds of pro-
ty, asphyxia may result, either
! too persistent exclusion Of air
! the lungs, or from its sedatiye I'll
IN on the respiratory centre. hi
dity Of the face gradually in 50
d, marks the progress Of the II
lyxia, marked pallor indicates pc
lure Of the heart, and conjoined Of
the lividity failure Of rcspira- ii
also. When III the course Of its
inhalations - border ne
N millions-a death occurs, it Is
yer attributable 70 the poison hii
effects Of the ether, but usually tn
phyxia gradually induced, after cas-
ings that cannot be neglected l8i
pt from culpable ignorance or ey,
In short, it is abso- thu
= safe, TO induce and maintain thu
ether, q state Of complete In tro
bility TO pain, for an indefinite pa,
d under intelligent manag- pic