New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-22
OPERATING WITH A NEW AYEsTHErTIC
REMOVING DOUBLE CATARACT WITH THE AID OF
HYDRO-CHLORATE OF CoCOAINE.

HfDRO-CIiL0RATE OF COCAINE.
A student at the University of Heidelberg, in
Germany, while experimenting recently with cocoa,
made ncture OF hydro chorate of cocoalne which to
his amazemcnt and surprise he accidentally discovered
that when applied the surface OF the eye would make
1t nsensble feeling Dr. Noycs OF this city. who
In Heidelberg ut the time heard OF the wonderful discov-
ery and brief OF It, and its operation,
his friends the medical profession here The hydro
chlOrate OF cOcoane is the active principle OF cocoa and
is only made by firm in Germany II cannot be OBJ
tanned In the drug stores in this country An an9sthetc
that would render particular part of the human body
without sensation and avoid the necessity OF using co-
roform or ether, which affect the whole body has
long been sought by the medical profession, and
this new discovery win be thoroughly tested
and experimental WITH in the hope that may be found
effect upon other portions of the body than
the eye
This anesthetic has been used in few within
the past two weeks by eminent ocuts In this
city, The material is costly mt present and as 1t has not
been made in this country 1t will be some time before IL
will be cheap enough to be used in ordinary prac-
ticc It used Monday for the
first time at the Mount Sinai Hospital.
fifty years of admitted to the hospital
last week who totally blind. About two years ago
she noticed slight cloudiness at times in the left eye
which gradually increased until at the end OF year. the
sight wholly destroyed. The right eye became
affected in similar manner with the same result Her
eyes being subjected to bright light, an internal cxam
nation made, which revealed the presence OF hard
mature cataract in the capsule, membrane covering
the lens in each eye When the light was before her
eyes could distinguish it from darkness but could
not any surrounding objects.
On Monday afternoon the woman was taken To the
operating room and laid Hat upol her back upon the
operating abe, in order to retain the r1ud in her eye
The hospital staff and number OF physicians were pres
ent The attending physician had enneavorcd to procure
small Quantity OF the new anesthGc bn could not set
1t In the city and used n the operation some nat ne had
previously obtained 1t cooreSS hld without taste
drops of the liquid were cautiously dropped
upon the surface OF the eyes. 1t produced
After interval OF five minutes four drops were
applied which caused the inscnsble condition TO extend
drops used. After the last application had done
its work the sensation Of the eyes tested and they
alton forceps, the application Of which no healthy eye
stand without causnga visible shrinking, were then
the patient They have serraed edges. which being
r nG INTO tnG lower part OF ,e Sye ho be IT.
extremely thin blade then introduced into the corner
through the outer coating of the eye until the point Of
the blade came ont on the other side of the iris.
ward great precauton being taken not to cut the lens
inurc OF the delicate parts of the eye in the neigh
in the cornea The Hat thus cut then drawn down
and the lens with the cataract in full view upon 1t was
An instrument resembling small steel spoon was then In
trouced into the eye and the lens was extracted In its
capsule without being laceratcd This completed the
operation for and the other was then operated
upon In the manner The operation upon both eyes
performed successfully without the patient feeling
the slightest seust0n and lasted about twenty minutes
1hcncw auRsthetc had done s work beautifully. After
the operation the flaps OF the were placed In proper
position and the patient asked to count
the number of fingers held before her eyes which she
did correctly though with hesitation In consequence
Of the power of accommodation being lost by the re-
nloyal of the lens from both eyes.
The eyes then bahcd IN solution of voracic acid:
cotton discs were applied to them and bandaged tightly.
The then led to her ward. Her eyes viii he
examined to-day and II everything works well until sat
urlay they will he httcd with glasses which, hereafter,
will take the place of tho lcuscs that removed aud
the patient viii he discharged Powerful ~ i the effect
ofths anmsthohc the eye IL does not harm the skin
IN the least it's action being confined to the end bubcs of
the nerves In the eye. Tho effect IN the healthy eye
nsts from nine to hfty minutes and has not tine slightest
effect upon the sight.