The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-10-17
COCAINE AS AN AESTHETIC
From the New York Herald

IF'rom the New York HERALD
Any device for the relief Of human
pain is always boon to suffering man
kind. In such a sense must be viewed
the new method of anesthesia by inject
ing cocaine solution into the spinal canal
discovered by DR.. J. Leonard Corning.
of this city. Although fifteen years
have elapsed since he wrote his first
scientific article on the subject, II is only
within the last few months that the
medical profession has carried out his
suggestions and proved the truth of his
predictions. Now il would appear the
more the principle OF producing this
form of limited insensibility is tested
the better pleased are those who are
noting its results.
For a long time after ether and chic
reform banished agony from the operat-
ing table it was the aim Of surgeons to
discover some drug that would accom-
pliSh the main purpose in view without
inducing an unnecessarily profound mar
cOtism. There was always something
weird and dreadful connected with the
Thought Of being subjected to this new
sleep and being so absolutely and help
lesSly under the control of another.
Even to this day many patients have
such instructive fearof these powerful
agents that the ordinary terrors Of the
knife sink into comparative insignia
canoe.
Especially did it seem desirable that
something should be found which should
distinctly limit the area Of induced in
SenS1D1lLy TO the part auecleu ana leave
the brain free to think. Then came CO
caine to take its place IN fulfilling 20 a
certain extent the required conditions.
1t was while DR.. Corning was studying
and experimenting to increase the use
fitness and more extended applicability
of this new and valuable remedy that
he conceived and demonstrated the prac-
ticability and comparative safety Of in
jecting the solution in question into the
lower portion of the spinal canal. BY
such means he succeeded in temporarily
destroying all sensitiveness in the roots
of the various nerves which have their
origin in that portion Of the spinal cord.
AS a consequence we now hear almost
incredible stories Of patients who have
watched amputations of their own limbs
without the slightest consciousness OF "a
smart or twinge, and 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 cree
ated area Of anesthesia with like aston
ishing results. The only thing which ap-
parently remains to be done is 70 extend
the surface of insensibility as safely and
surely to the upper portions Of the body.
This may possibly be accomplished 10
time when greater experience with the
use OF the solution in the present re-
stricted regions Of the spine shall war
rant the requisite ventures in other and
more extended directions.
Even as the matter now stands there
is great reason for believing that this
principle of treating and preventing pain
has a very promising future and a com
paratively extended range Of applica-
ton Already il has been so successfully
applied to the abolition OF the pains OF
maternity that it's future use FOR such
purpose is confidently assured.