The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-08
ELKTON, APRIL 8. 1898
A TIMELY QUESTION.

ELKTON, APRIL 8, 1898
A TIMELY QUESTION.
The recent startling and unexpect'
ed death of Col. Elliott F. Shepard,
prominent citizen OF New York and
editor of the ILzH and Express, from
the administration Of ether, and
which is popularity termed "med-
ical accident" suggests very per
tinent question relative to the use OF
anasthetics = viz : # two expert
physicians like those who admins
tered the fatal dose can be so
absolutely deceived in the effect OF
ether, what terrible risks the thou
sands and tens of thousands OF people
who daily inhale it for dental and
surgical operations, must be running
in the hands Of less expert practition
ers. The statement of Col SheDard's
physicians is in Itself stupendous
reflection upon their profession, and
convinces all who read it, that in his
case ether should not have been
administered. Yet 1t was admins
tered, and before the contemplated
surgical operation was begun, their
subject WAS 4 dead man.
Now when it is remembered that
one of the two administering physi-
clans had been in constant attend
ance upon their patient for long
time, ard as his family physician
was supposed to be thoroughly
informed as to Col. Shepard's physi-
cal condition, as well as constitutional
tendencies, what answer can it be to
so terrible blunder to say, that Col
Shepard's death was the result of
some unknown cause.
VIII not tens of thousands whose
habit is to repose the most implicit
confidence in their family physicians,
reasonably ask themselves the ques-
ton: Who IS to know whether it is
safe to administer either ether Or
chloroform, if not the regular physi-
clans of the man or woman to whom
they are given. And the question
is not to be answered by asserting
that Col. Shepard's physicians like
all respectable practitioners took
every precaution to prevent a fatal
result. The actual result did show
that both his doctors, the consulting
physician, as well as the family
doctor, were il ignorance Of their
patients physical condition, other
wise they would have withheld the
fatal dose.
Now our purpose in noticing the
terrible result OF administering ether
in Col. Shepard's case, is not to cast
reflection upon the medical pro-
fession, Or express a doubt as to its
dignity and usefulness. The well
man, be he poet or wit, may rail
against the doctors, and every hearty
fellow who never had an ache or
pain, may re-echo Shakspeare's
Injunction Throw Physic to the
Dogs" He may repeat to his
hearts content, John Brougham's
maxim that the province of a
physician is to amuse the patient,
while nature performs the cure-but
for all this, if he be taken i'll, he
will tremble Ike an Aspen, and BEL
low like bull for the nearest doctor.
The uses of aneSthetics are
obvious, and their benefits admitted.
The fact that they render patients
under the surgeons knife, uncon-
scious of pain, during protracted and
delicately dangerous operations,
makes those operations possible.
But unless surgeons absolutely know
when they can be administered
safely, what defence can be offered
for their use. If the terrible alter.
native is put before a patient, of
dying suddenly while under the
influence of ether, or suffering a
lingering death from disease, terrible
as the choice may be they will prefer
the latter.
Speaking as layman we believe
there is no professional necessity in
putting before any man or women
the terrible uncertainty, that seems
to have been risked in Col. Shep
ards case. The science Of medi-
cine, and scientific surgery, have
during the last half century COM
manded the exhaustive study OF
the master minds Of every en-
lightened nation of the globe.
Their triumphs have attested the
highest genius of mankind, and the
inventive ability Of the ablest mincs
in mechanics, has been directed to
the perfecting OF the instruments
and appliances oil the surgery. The
eye of medical scientist, can by
the aid OF these wonderful appliances,
peer and peep through all the lanes
and alleys OF the living human body
II he be really an expert in his pro-
fesson, he can with reasonable GER
tainty anticipate the result of most
experimental remedies. AT best, his
remedies either scientifically and
knowingly, or bunglngly and ignor
antly applied, are in measure
experiments, to be tested and ap
proved, or tried and rejected, by an
educated judgment, and by the pro-
foundes. attainments in this indis-
pensible profession. If this be true,
there can be no excuse for such fatal