New-York tribune., 1901-01-28
COCAINE IN SURGERY.
DIR. J. L. CORNING TRYING TO IMPROVE
HIS METHOD OF TREATMENT.
PHYSICIANS DIFFER AS TO THE VALUE OF
THE DRUG AS AN ANEsTHETIC. BUT ALL
FAVOR IT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

THE DRUG AS AN ANEsTHETIC, BUT ALL
FAVOR 1T TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.
DR.. James Leonard Corning. who is acknowl
edged TO be the discoverer Of spinal anesthesia,
is engaged in researches regarding the possible
improvement in the technique of the method.
He was seen at his home, No. 53 West Thirty
eghth-st., by Tribune reporter yesterday af-
ternoon. and when asked to the nature and
result of his researches, said:
'It would be premature for to speak about
the researches that 1 making before their
publication in medical literature. These re-
searches hope will eventuate in a decided i'm
provement in the methods at present in vogue
1t was learned yesterday that what is
called the Corning method of using cocaine in
surgery is daily growing in favor. A peculiar
coincidence in the adoption Of the method is that
no we'll authenticated fatal casualties have as
yet been reported in any part Of the world, so
far as can be learned, and that the opposition
to the use OF ether and chloroform was much
more obstinate and implacable than anything
spinal anathesia has encountered. The use of
this method in certain surgical cases became
widely known some months ago. when some
leading surgeons in Germany announced that
they had adopted the method According to
some Of the leading physicians in this city and
elsewhere, cocaine will never take the place of
ether or chloroform as a general anfesthesla
They think that its field in surgery is limited
When asked about the recent results of the
use of cocaine in surgery DR. George F. Shrady
said to a Tribune reporter yesterday afternoon:
THE recent usage of cocaine in surgical cases,
according to the Corning method, has demon
strated that the anticipations 70 its great
value were true The Corning method is espe-
ciaIly used in midwifery. SO far no fatal cases
1,or-o III, aoFf fnaV of hOH iq
still in the experimental stage. am Of the
opinion that its field of operation is limited. and
that cocaine will never take the place of ether or
chloroform as a general anesthesia. Surgeons
are feeling their way and using the Corning
method wherever they can"
According to reports. DR.. Murphy. Of Chicago,
the specialist abdominal surgery. and DR..
Mattas. of New-Orleans, are using the Corning
method a great deal, and they are said to be
delighted with the results. Many other leading
surgeons in the West and the South have
adopted the method. Ever since his discov-
eres as to the uses of cocaine in certain surgical
cases DR.. Corning has been thought by many
persons to be surgeon. This idea has caused
him some annoyance. He is a specialist on
diseases affecting the mental and nervous sys-
TEN. In speaking on the subject 70 a Tribune
reporter yesterday afternoon well known ply
sician said:
"Dr. Corning not only discovered spinal anees-
thesia, but the method known as local anaesthe-
sia by Incarceration of the anasthetic. This
discovery he made about sixteen years ago.
simultaneously with spinal an@sthesia. TIE
method that is called local anasthesia consists
in passing ligature around the limb TO be
operated upon, so as to stop the circulation and
prevent the removal of the anasthetic from the
field Of operation by absorption into general
circulation. This method has been used for
years by surgeons, with favorable results.
Having found that sensibility could be ami
hilated in the trunks of nerves in this way II
occurred to DR. Corning that it might be feast
bic by injecting an anasthetic down to the
spinal cord to block the paths Of sensation in
the spinal cord. and so prevent the transmission
Of painful sensations to the brain. To appre-
ciate the practical significance of this proposal
it must be borne in mind that all sensation is
transmitted through the spinal cord to the brain
Hence when an anesthetic is injected down TO
the lower portion of the spinal cord all that
portion OF the body lying below the point of in
lection is completely insenstive to pain. In
tude and duration be performed feet,
legs thigh, abdomen-in short, up to the waist
pain 70 the patient. Dr. Cornings first article
regarding this discovery was published in Oc-
tober. 1885. This was a year before anything
had been done, as near as can learn on the
subject in any part Of the world. The cocaine
is injected down TO the cord in the lumbar re-
gion Of the spine.
In my opinion this method Will be generally
used in future in cases where the administration
OF a general anasthetic, like ether choro
form, is dangerous, account Of the cOndi- |
tion Of the patient in heart disease, pull !
nonary complications and kidney affection |
This method is used in a great many cases
Of hernia. and in operations abdominal
gans. IT is particularly advantageous in hernia |
because IL is sometimes necessary TO have the |
patient cough, and at other times to breathe |
lightly so as not to force the intestines out
of place"
What are some Of the objections raised by
the opponents Of the method?' asked.
"One of the objections" replied the physician |
"is that spinal an9sthesia the patient to |
vOmit occasionally, but the vomiting is Of brief |
duration"
Continuing the physician said
IF the patient is very sensitive the sight Of a |
bloody operation may cause faintness Band
aging the eyes however, and putting cotton |
in the ears overcome this difficulty. In some |
cases too for some not Vet adequately |
explained, ansasthesia does not superVene and !
resort must be had to etherization."
A report was recently made of a collection Of |
$50 published cases of the successful use Of
DR. Cornings method in surgery
KERR'S FATHER SERIOUSLY I'LL. |