New-York tribune., 1908-09-13
ITS USE IN MEDICINE.

The operation OF artificial pneumo-thorax' has
also been tried with oxygen at Beth Israel Hos
pital recently. 1t is applied in OF single lung
tuberculosis incision being made in the pa
tents back through which oxygen Is admitted.
forcing the diseased lung away from the wall and
giving II rest while the healthy lung works for
two. The direct benefit Of the gas in tuberculosis
is now being investigated. 1t is feared that the
bacilli thrive on the oxygen almost as much as
the patient.
DR. Bainbrfdge conducted series OF experiments
with cats last winter determine the effects Of
oxygen under various conditions. He reported that
it was wonderful how quickly cats and human
beings responded TO the gas during operations
Pulse color and respiration were improved VIXEN
oxygen was introduced in the abdominal cavity. In
severe operations where the shock was very great
the patient rallied almost instantly When the
lungs were washed out with oxygen after anaes-
thesa the patient quickly regained consciousness
felt no unusual nausea and often was able to walk
from operating room to ward Stiilborn infants
have been revived by the gas 1t has been used
simultaneously for such diseases carbunce, cry
sfpeas sciatica and hydToceie with successful re-
suits Asphyxiaton and drug poisoning yield 70
the treatment. EpiIeptic fts have been favorably
treated Excellent results reported from the in
PRODUCTION OF oxygen into the intestines Pneu-
rnonia cases have long been treated with the gas.
1t was administered TO New York tunnel workers
suffering with the bends" Among the uses sus-
gested by Dr. cambridge inhaIations before
and after anasthesia, inhalations for colds and
respiratory disorders injections into joints and ABB
scesses and infusion into the abdominal cavity in
a variety Of operations. 1t Is said the Zulus recog-
nfze the therapeutic power of oxygen by carrying
their men wounded in battle TO mountain tops and
exposing their wounds TO the air. Japanese sur
seons open the abdomen in cases Of tuberculous
peritonitis and expose the cavity TO air and sun
light for fifteen or twenty minutes at time.
Oxygen was discovered by Scheele in Sweden In
177S and one year later by Priestley in England
Air is mechanical mixture OF four-hfths nitrogen
and one-hfth oxygen. 1t has not been found prac-
ticabie 70 obtain oxygen directly from the air The
commercial method is TO heat mixture or chic
rate of potash and black oxide Of manganese in
a retort to a temperature OF 2ss degrees. allowing
the resultant gas be purified by passing through
q solution OF caustic soda. then COMPRISING IL in
steel cylinders by means OF force pump The
manganese does not Yield oxygen, but merely per
nlits decomposition OF the chIorate OF potash az
a low temperature. One pound OF chlorats will
produce four and one-haif cubic feet OF oxygen
weighing about FIVE and three-hfths ounces The
usual pressure Of cylinders is 25 pounds 70 the
square inch. so-ca1ed pure oxygen is about 50
per cent with per cent OF nitrogen, no chlorin
and trace o. carbon doxid Cylinders OF differ
failing at S TO so. The Board OF Health forbids
the use Of the inhaling apparatus. which consists
OF rubber tube and glass water bottle. through
which the gas passes. BY more than one person
The annual production of oxygen in this country.
mostly confined TO New York. is said 10 be worth
I.O9o,gG0.