Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1896-08-26
A TANGLED TALE.
That of the Discovery and Use OF Pure
ChlOrOfOrm.


ChlorofOrm.
Dumas, the eminent French chem
ist, originally separated and identi-
fed the substance about 1881, but as
an an@sthetic it first came into use
in another form some years later.
The success of ether was no sooner
established, to the wonder and de-
light of the medical world, and, in
deed, of the public, than enterprising
chemists cast about for other drugs
of like power, and it occurred to a
Mr.. Jacob Bell that "chlorio ether"
might answer the purpose. DR..
Bigelow seems to have tried it in
America about the same time, but
without success. Mr.. Bell, how
ever, suggested it to Mr.. Coote, one
of the surgeons at st. Bartholo-
news and he induced his colleague,
the great Lawrence, to try it.
So the first operation took place
under ohloroform, but the substance
used was ohlorio ether, otherwise
known as spirits of ohloroform-that
is to say, a mixture of ohloroform
and alcohol. It did not occur to any
of those concerned that the alcohol
had nothing to do with the effect
produced. That discovery was re-
served for another chemist, Mr..
Waldie, who carried the news of
what had been done in London to
Sir James Simpson at Edinburgh and
suggested to him the use of pure
ohloroform. Simpson was engross-
ed with anesthetios at the time and
had some of the new drug prepared
for himself but, according to the ac-
count of an eyewitness, he only
came to use it by sort of accident.
He was then constantly experiment
ing on the production of anasthesia
by all sorts of agents with the help
of his pupils, Keith and Matthews
Duncan, both destined to become
famous men. They used to meet of
an evening and test the various
drugs on themselves by inhaling the
vapor from tumbler
One evening some one produced
small bottle of heavy liquid from
under some lumber, and they pro-
oeeded to put it to the test with all
the recklessness of scientific enthu-
siasm. That night the learned con-
olave became scene of the widest
Each member of the
party was found PROSTATE and in
sensible upon the floor or staggering
about the room, a con-
vincing proof of the efficacy of the
new agent. 1t was ohloroform, and |
Simpson lost no time in applying it
n his practice, whence it's fame
spread far and wide. The story is
sure to be denied by somebody, but
true or not it is good one
ind probably not far from the truth.
A legend has grown up and obtain
ID general currency that Simpson
1ot only discovered ohloroform, but
invented anasthesia.
AS matter of fact, he did nei-
her, but none the less his name de-
erves to be commemorated in con-
lection with both. His high posi-
ion in the profession, his ardor in
esearch, boldness in practice and
droitness in advocacy all com bined
o render invaluable service in es
the use of anesthetics,
which, like all innovations, met
With much opposition.
It is amusing to read the obiec-
ions that used to be brought against
hem in the early days. One was
hat they were sinful and contrary
0 divine ordinance Simpson in
enuously disposed of this fantastic
cripple by pointing out that the first /
peration en- record took place un- a
er an@sthesia divinely induced c
7hen deep sleep was made to fall
pom Adam in order that his rib
hight be taken to form Eve.-Lon-
on Standard. :