The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-05-04
SIMPSONS DISCOVERY.
How the Anesthetlc Properties of Chic
roform Were Brought to Light.


roform Were Brought to Light
The name of Doctor afterwards Sir
James Young Simpson became closely
identified with the study of an@sthe
tics He approached the subject with
u due sense of its Importance, and ap.
piled to it scientific skill OF the first
order. Several deaths occurred through
the careless and indiscriminate use OF
ether, causing that agent to be re-
garded with diminished favor. A less
dangerous but equally effective sub
stance was called for, and to the dis
covery of this DIR. Simpson devoted his
best energies. In his researches he was
assisted by several able professors, and
for time they gave large share OF
their attention to the matter. Any
volatile substance in which anesthetic
properties were suspected was care
fully examined, and it was not long
before the experiments brought forth
the coveted reward. One night DR..
Simpson and his assistants were sitting
up late. bent on their self-imposed task.
A number OF chemical fluids had been
selected for experiment, each man pro-
viding himself with u glass, into which
a small quantity of the particular sub
stance engaging attention was poured,
the glass being placed over warm water
to help the evolution of vapor. In
this way, with their mouths and nos
trils held over the vessels, they tested
one vapor after another, but it seemed
as if the spirit of inconsistencies
was not to be evoked. They tried
many gases and liquids which no one
had ever thought of testing in this con-
nection before, and at last small bot
| tie of dark liquid which provoked no
great expectations, and was only known
us a chemical curiosity in the labora-
tory, was raked up out of some OBJ
scure corner and put to take its turn
with the rest. This was little bottle
of chloroform. Presently, after more
promising substances had failed them,
it was resolved to submit it to the test.
A small portion of the liquid was
poured into each glass and the ex-
perimenters began their inhalations.
Prof Miller, one of the assistants, has
described what took place. An un-
wonted hilarity seized the party; they
became bright-eyed and very happy,
and conversed with such intelligence
as more than usually charmed other
listeners who were not taking part in
the proceedings. But suddenly there
was talk of sounds being heard like
those of cotton mill, louder and
louder; a moment more, then all was
quiet, and then-a crash! On awaking,
DIR. Simpsons first perception was
mental. This is far stronger and
better than ether" he said to himself.
| He next observed that he was pros
trate on the floor, and that his friends
were confused and alarmed. Hearing
noise, he turned round ana saw his
assistant, DIR. Duncan beneath chair;
his jaw dropped, his eyes staring, and
his head half bent under him; quite
unconscious, and snoring in a deter
mined and alarming manner. More
noise followed and much commotion.
and then his eyes overlook DR.. Keith $
feet and legs making various efforts
to overturn the table, or more proba-
bly, to annihilate every thing that was
upon it. All speedily regained their
senses. and from the middle of that
night dates the discovery of the anas-
thetic uses of chloroform. - London
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