The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-07-14

been directed to its superiority over ether and chloroform
 As to the comparative merits of ni- trous oxid, cholorofrm and ether mar cosis, the American Medical Associa- ton reports that "as a routine anes- peculiar value, and in the hands of skilled anestetists the method is the best yet ~devised.'
 Let US now see how ana1gesia works out in modern practice. We will se- lect a highly sensitive woman, as af- fording the best means of demonstrat- ing this wonder of science, follow her into her dentists office, and see and hear what is done
 She is terribly nervous. Her soul is captive to her fears, and these, like skeleton hands, search inward, and thump in nuff1ed drumbeat on her heart. She has to take her nerves by the throat, and force them to let her turn the doorknob The sharp start, as the door jars lightly behind her, the tremu1ous movement of the lower lip, the emotional pain, the un- rest of the frail little body, all plead for sympa thy.
 She seats herself in the chair nearest the entrance and looks apprehensively at the swinging door leading into the immaculate inner office. And all the while her fingers play over the lock Of her handbag, and tumble uncea5- ingly with the handkerchief in her lap.
 A trim young assistant garbed in the obstrusively clean uniform of a trained nurse, bustles cheerfuily into the reception room. Good morning. The doctor will see you in very few minutes. Won't you lay aside your things?''
 Deftly the assistant helps her off
 
 brightly the while, in an attempt to divert the attention of the thoroughly frightened woman After a, short time a patient comes out, the dentist jot- ting down his next appointment.
 Then. turning briskly, Come right in, please
 The nurse first leads her to a cozy little retiring room, loosen her cloth ing, and then seats her comfortably in the white enamel chair. The oper- ator meanwhile busies himself with nail brush and antiseptic soap. His hand toilet completed he begins a careful examination of the teeth with explorer and mouth mirror. The thor oughly unnerved woman trenTbles with fear
 The doctor desists. CT am not go- ing to hurt you"
 That's what you told me before; yet -" and she shook her head hopelessly in recollection.
 ''I know I told you then to reas- sure you Now I tell you most posi- lively that we shall not cause you one particle of suffering. Since you had your last work done we've made con- siderable progress in our methods We are now using nitrous oxid and oxygen to deaden the pain. What I have to do for you in excavating those two cavities might formerly have hurt you considerably; but with this new apparatus,'' and he patted the cylinders with professional affection. you'll have it in your power to be absolutely free from pain.
 Doctor, couldn't take that. I know it would smother me. Besides I am terribly afraid you will drill into the pulp. I always understood that sem sitiveness is 8 sort of signal, which tells you when to stop"
 +%The most sensitive part of the tooth is where the dentin joins. the enamel far from the pulp chamber. And be- our Knowledge of the structure and anatomy of the tooth. You must re- member that dentistry is now a highly scientific profession.
 Now let's start. We place the in haler over the nose, so that you get inc vapor only as you breathe through the nostri1s. Relax, just though you were very tired, and wanted to go to sleep. Make yourself entirely comfortable. You will remain awake. and keep your eyes open. You will know everything that Is going on; but you will not be hurt. If you feel drowsy, or as if you were going to sleep inhale air through the mouth; and if there is the least bit of discon-. fort from the tooth I am excavating, take a few deep breaths through the nostrils again, and it will go away.
 Understand, you are taking the analgesia yourself. It wouldn't do you the slightest harm if you fell asleep; but it is easier for me to work if you remain awake
 The nose piece is adjusted, and the gleaming metal cocks turned on slow ly. A low, sibilant sound, as though a mother was flushing a restless child to sleep, a, dozen quiet natural breaths, and the Quivering, reaching hands be- come calm and steady.
 Then. under the swift skill of the operator, the teeth, which ordinarily