The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1896-08-04
a TANGLED TALE.
rhAs % the Dasoexsry aad Tee e Pu-
chlormform-

rhAs % the Disooxsry nad Tee e Pu-s
Chioroform~
Dumas, the eminent French chem
ist originally separated and identi-
hed the substance about 1891, but a.
an anRsthetio IL first came into use
In another form some years later.
The success Of ether was no sooner
established, TO the wonder khd de-
light of the medical world, and, in
deed, of the public, than enterprising
chemists cast about for other drugs
Of like power, and IL occurred 20 q
Mr.. Jacob Bell that "cblorio ether"
might answer the purpose. DR..
Bigelow seems to have tried 10 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, 20 try it
So the first operation took place
under chloroform. but the substance
used was ohlorio ether, otherwise
known as spirits Of fchloroform-that
is TO say, n mixture of chloroform
and alcohol. Il did not occur % any
of those concerned that the alcohol
had nothing 20 do with the effect
produced. That discovery was re-
served for another chemist, a 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
ohlorofUrm. Simpson was engross-
ed with anRsthetics 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 IL by n sort of accident.
He was thon constantly experiment
ing on the production Of anRsthesia
by all sorts Of agents with the help
of his pupils. Keith and Matthews
Duncan, both destined 20 become
famous men. They used 70 meet Of
an evening and test the various
drugs on themselves by inhaling the
vapor from n tumbler.
Ono evening some one produced q
small bottle of n heavy liquid from
under some lumber. and they pro-
coeded TO put it TO the test with all
the reoklessness Of scientific enthu-
siasm. That night the learned con-
clave became scene Of the widest
intoxication. Each member Of the
party was found PROSTATE and in.
sensible upon the floor or staggering
helplessly about the room, a con-
vincing proof Of the efficacy Of the
now agent. It was chloroform, and
Simpson lost no time in applying II
in his practice. whence its fame
spread far and wide. The story ID
sure 10 be denied by somebody, bat
whether true or not it is a good one
and probably not far from the truth
A legend has grown up and obtain
ed general currency that Simpson
not only discovered chloroform, buf
invented anRsthesia.
AS matter of fact, he did mel
ther. but mono the less his name de
serves to be COMMUNICATED in con
nection with both. His high posi-
tion in the profession, his ardor IL
research, boldness in practice ans
adroitness in advocacy all combines
to render invaluable service in es
tablishing the use of anssthetics
which, like all innovations, me
with much opposition.
It Is amusing to read the objeo
tions that used to be brought agains
thorn in tho early days Ore wa
that they were sinful and contrary
: to divine ordinance. Simpson in
genuously disposed Of this fAntasti
soruple by pointing out that the frs
7 operation on record took place IN
! der anesthesia divinely induce
when n deep sleep was made 20 IA
upon Adam in order that his ri
; might be AIKEN 10 form EYe.-Lor
: don Standard