The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-09-30
Discovery of ChlOrOfOrm.

list, originally separated and identi-
fed the substance about 1881, but as
an an@sthetio 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
Mr.. Jacob Bell that "chloric 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, ono
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 chloroform, but the substance
used was chlorio ether, otherwise
known as spirits of chloroform-that
is to say, a mixture of chloroform
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 bad been done in London to
Sir James Simpson at Edinburgh and
suggested to him the use of pure
chloroform Simpson was engross-
ed with an9sthetics at the time and
had some of tho 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 mon. They used to meet of
an evening and test the various
drugs on themselves by inhaling the
vapOr from II tumbler.
One evening some one produced a
small bottle of Il heavy liquid from
under some lumber, and they pro-
ceeded to put it to the test with al
the recklcssness of scientific enthu-
siasun That night the learned con-
clava became a scene of the widest
! intoSiogtiOn. Each member of the
pg1 ~ was found prosTato and in
| = n 70
h2lplessly about tLe room, a con-
vlncing proof of the efficacy of the
| now agent It was chloroform, and
Simpson lost no time in applying it
III his pra 1913, whence its fame
spread far and wide. The story is
sure to b. 1enied by somebody, but
whether time or not it is a good one
and pro1@ bly not far from the truth.
A legend has grown up and obtain.
ed general currency that Simpson
not only discovered chloroform, but
invented anesthesia.
AS matter of fact, he did nei
ther, but none the loss his name de
serves to be COMMUNICATED in con
nection with both. His high posi-
ton in the profession, his ardor il
research, boldness in practice and
adroitness in advocacy all combined
to render invaluable service in es
tablishing the use of anesthetics
which, like all innovations, met
with much opposition.
1t is amusing to read the objec
tons that used to be brought against
them in the early days. One was
that they were sinful and contrary
to divine ordinance. Simpson in
genuously disposed of this fantastic
scruple by pointing out that the first
operation on record took place un
der an@sthesia divinely induced
when deep sleep was made to fal
upon Adam in order that his ril
might be taken to form Eve Lon
don Standard.