The Yale expositor., 1911-07-27

important respects most beneficial
anodyne, it was found to have certain
disadvantages which not only fire.
quently hampered the doctor in his
work, but also contained elements of
risk to the patient. These Simpson
found it difficult, if not impossible. to
eliminate from the drug, and so he
besought him eagerly how to discover
some other specific which might prove
safer and surer in its effects. Ace
tone, nitrate of oxide of ethyle, ben
zine, the vapor of iodoform, were
among those thought of and expert
mented with by SIMPSON, and his as
sociates in the attempt of discovery.
Most of these experiments were
performed after the long days toll
was over-at late night or early
morn; and when the greater part of
mankind were soundly anaesthetiZed
in the arms of common sleep. Late
one evening-it was the 4th Of No
vember, 1847-on returning home aft
er weary days labor, DR.. Simpson,
with two friends and assistants, Drs.
Keith and j. M. Duncan, sat down to
their somewhat hazardous work in
DR.. Simpsons dining room. Having
inhaled several substances, but with
out much effect, it occurred to DR..
Simpson to try a ponderous material,
which he had formerly set aside on
lumber table, and which, on account
of it's great weight, he had hitherto
regarded as of no likelihood what
ever That happened to be a small
bottle of chloroform. It was searched
for, and recovered from beneath a
heap of waste paper And, with each
tumbler newly charged, the inhalers
resumed their vocation. Immediately
an unwonted hilarity seized the party,
they became bright-eyed, very happy,
and very loquacious-expatiating on
the delicious aroma of the new fluid.
The conversation was of unusual in
telligence, and quite charmed the list
eners-some ladies of the family and
a naval officer, brother-in-law Of DR..
Simpson. But suddenly there was a
talk of sounds being heard like those
of cotton mill, louder and louder;
a moment more, then all was quiet,
and then-a crash. On awakening,
DR.. Simpsons first perception was
mental-'This is far stronger and bet
ter than ether said he to himself.
His second was to note that he was
PROSTATE on the floor, and that among
the friends about him there was both
confusion and alarm. Hearing a
noise, he turned round and saw DR..
Duncan beneath a chair-his jaw
dropped, his eyes staring. his head
bent half under him, quite uncon-
scious, and snoring in a most deter.
mined ana alarming mann err More
noise still, and much motion. And
then his eyes partook DR.. Keiths feet
and legs, making valorous efforts to
overturn the supper table, or more
probably to annihilate everything that
was on it. Each expressed himself
delighted with this ne agent; and its
inhalation was repeated many times
that night-one of the ladies CALAMITY
taking her place and turn at the table
| until the supper of chloroform was
fairly exhausted
Sir James Simpson lived to see
chloroform used with great success
throughout the civilized world. and
when he died in 1870, in his fifty.
ninth year. it was universally felt that
one of the greatest benefactors OF
the human race had passed to his re.
| ward.
On the personal side, Simpson was
n most lovable man and a great so
cial favorite. Like many other men
of remarkable mental powers, he was
noted for his humility and simplicity
of life and character, and at the same
time for his large-hearted hospitality
| His house in London was a render
vous of all sorts and conditions of
men: the strangest streams of life
| we're constantly flowing through it.
| OF deeply devout spirit in all that
concerned the higher life in it's rela-
ton to this world. Simpsons solicit.
| tude for the souls Of others was, IL has
been said OF him. as great as his
anxiety for their physical health when
that was entrusted to his care BE
that as 1t may. Simpsons goodness
! and gentleness Of disposition were
: but the complement of the greatness
Of his mental endowment which he
! spent in the service and for the hap
! piness of his fellows.
A. cARGiLL.
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