The Holbrook news., 1911-09-15

While sulphuric ether was in some
 important respects a most beneficial
 anodyne, it was found to have certain
 disadvantages which not only fire
 quently hampered the doctor in his
 work, but also contained clements o
 risk to the patient. These Simpson found it difficult, if not impossible. te 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 Simpsonu 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 sleepy Late one evening-it was the 4th of No vember, 1S47-on returning home aft CT 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 ponderous material. which he had formerly set aside on a lumber table, and which, on account of its 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-ex 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 a cotton mill, louder and louder; moment more, then all was quiet, and then-a crash. On awakening, Dr. Simpsons first perception was nental-'This is far stronger and bet fer than ether said he to himself. His second was to note that he was prostrate 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 and alarming manner. More noise still, and much motion. And then his eyes partook Dr. Keith's 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 it's hat night-one of the ladies gallantly | 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 a 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 rendez- vous of all sorts and conditions of | men; the strangest streams of life | were constantly flowing through it." Of a deeply devout spirit in all that concerned the higher life in its rela- tion to this world, Simpsons solici- tude for the souls of others was, 1t 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. cAReILL.