The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-10-18
COCAINE As Az AESTHETIC.
Successful Use of solution Injected
Into the spinal Canal.
From the New York Herald.

Into tbe spinal Canal.
From the New York Herald
Any device for tho relief OF human pain
such a sense must be viewed the new
method of aneshesla by injecting CO..
caine solution into the spinal canal dis
covered by Dr. J. Leonard Corning. OF
this city. Although nficen years have
elapsed since he wrote his first scientific
article on the subject. IL Is only within tho
last few months that the medical profess
sion has carried out his suggestions and
proved the truth Of his predictions Now
% would appear the moro the principle OF
producing this form OF limited lnsenslbll-
ity IL tested the better pleased are ihosa
who are noting results.
For long time after ether and chioro-
form banlshed agony from tho operating
table II WAS the aim Of surgeons 20 dis
cover some drug that would accomplish
the main purpose IN view without lnduc-
Ing an unnecessarily profound narcotism.
There was always something weird ana
dreadful connected with the thought OF
being subjected TO this new sleep ana be-
ing 10 absolutely and helpiessly under the
control of another. Even 10 this day many
these powerful agents that tho ordinary
terrors Of the knife sink into comparative
insignincauce
Especially did Il seem desirable that
something should be found which should
distinctly limit the area 81 induced lnsen-
sibiiity 10 the part affected and leave the
brain free 90 think. Then came cocaine
20 take It's place In fuinllng to a certain
extent the required conditions.
IL was while nr ftorufuu egun afuIUlwas
and experimenting 10 Increase the useful
ness and more extended applicability OF
this new ana valuable remedy that he
conceived and demonstrated the practi-
cabtity and comparative safety Of inject
ing the solution in question into the lower
portion OF the spinal canal. By such
means he succeeded IN temporarily de-
sToylng All sensitiveness IN the roots OF
the various nerves which have their ORR
gin IN that portion OF the spinal cord A.
consequence We now hear almost In
credible stories OF patients who have
watched amputationH Of their own limbs
without the slightest CONSEQUENCES Of a
smart or twinee. ana who could scarcely
realize that parts OF their own bodies
were being severed.
other operations Of equal severity have
also been performed IN this newly created
area Of ancsthes,a with like astonishing
results. The only thing which apparently
remains 20 be- done Il 20 extend the sur
face Of insensibiity as safely and surely
20 the upper portions % the body This
may possibly be accomplished IN time.
when greatcr experience with the use OF
The solution IN the present restricted re-
gions OF tho spine shall warrant the reluf-
site ventures IN other and more extended
directions.
Even AZ the matter now stands there is
great reason for believing that this prin-
clpic Of treating and preventing pain has
a very promising future and n compara-
lively extensive range Of application. Al
ready q has been SO successfully applied
20 the abolition OF the pains OF maternity
that It's future use for such purpose IL
confidently assured.