The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-10-27
ELECTRIC SLEEP.
Physicians Here Experimeuf WIN TIE
New AnBsthesh.


Important experiments in the use Of
electricity 40 an snesthetic have been made
recently before tho Society Of Chemical
Surgery in tho laboratory Of experimental
surgery In connection with the College Of
Physicians and Surgeons 1t Columbia
University. They were under the direct
supervision Of DR.. L. Pierce Clark, nerve
specialist; DR.. George #. Brewer. pro-
lessor Of surgery at Columbia; DR.. James
f. King. who conducted the actual work Of
the experiments: Prof. Tufts Of the depart
e OF physics at Columbia and DR.. Z. W.
Scripture, who has studied for five years
In Munich as one Of the benefciaries OF the
Carnegie Fund.
The work hero has been inspired by Prof.
Stephane Leduc OF the College Of Medicine,
Nantes. France. who has gone far along
the path OF experimentation. having twice
applied the current to himself.
The current which produces the Electric
sleep" ne the French call it. Ia different
from any previously known. There 10 a
special apparatus for it's application. the
principal feature Of which is an interrupter
by means Of which q maximum Of moro
than 5000 interruptions q minute may be
SsNChs Ia II VI OW tcnbiOu AuU
constant direction-that ID to say, q current
which acts for a time. ceases. recommends
and 80 on by regular intervals.
As soon as the Interruptions cease the
return TO consciousness 10 lmmediate, and
this return has no relation whatever In ap-
p%earance or sensation to the return from
the Inconsistencies induced by present
an~@sthetics.
Electric sleep comes almost ~immediately
within q minute or two after the current
is turned on, while those who have wit
nessed the administration Of chloroform,
ether or ethyl chloride know that 1t is q
process sometimes taking half an hour or
more, dependent on the resisting power
and general condition Of the patient.
Experiments for local anesthesiR by
means OF this interrupting current, which
have formed part OF the experiments at
Columbia, were completely successful. IL
was shown that by placing an electrodo
over the median nerve in the wrist the
whole Of the body fed by that nerve was
Affected. The return TO the norm" was
instantaneous, with no condition Of impaired
circulation. Dogs were used in these ex-
periments rather than cats. rabbits or squir-
rels, for the reason that the dogs nervous
system closely resembles the human, and
tUb lnVeiiikehCt 10 Oh ueip ia tnat IL WOulO
show some resentment IL il suffered and
would run way from q further expert
menting. Some Of the dogs have been on
the operating table five or six times and
do not apparently mind It In the least.
So far the one weak link in the chain Of
successful experimenting has beer in the
matter of respiration. the interrupting cur
rent when applied with too great intensity
leaving the heart action perfectly free hut
paralyzing the breathing. an effect which
has to be met by producing an artificial
respiration. which is done by the applica-
ton Of another electric current.
All OF the physicians at the laboratory
agree that a new era in surgery is at hand
when the old time horrors OF the operating
table will be no more.
There ie no branch Of medicine and sur
gerry that II will not reach, they saw. THE
insomnia that comes from excessive pain.
the terrible neuralgia spasms, the pangs OF
childbirth even-the attendant pains of
which have always been one Of the re-
proaches Of medical scienoe-all these and
more will be relieved. When the anasthc.ic
properties Of chloroform were announced
It's discoverer wa looked upon al a savior,
and at his death a tablet was erected to his
memory in Westminster Abbey; but Just
az we look back now with horror at the idea
that the old time palliative TO pain could
be offered. 40 shortly we will look back with
the same horror at the idea of using any
OF the present apesthetics and drugs that
are empl0ved."