Evening star., 1951-06-19
Sees xenon, Rorest Gas,
Success as Anesthetic
Complicated Operations
Performed by Iowa Doctors
By Thomas R. Henry

A new anesthetic, the rare gas xenon,
which forms one-170-millionth of the
earths atmosphere, has just been an
nounced to the American Association
for the Advancement of Science.
Successful complicated surgical oper-
ations on human beings already have
been performed with xenon, according
to the report by DR.. Stuart C. Cullen
and Erwin G. Gross of Iowa State Uni
versity.
Although, because of it's rarity, the
gas has little present significance in
actual surgery. its action in producing
inconsistencies is Of considerable theo-
retfcal Importance to the whole field
of anesthesia. This is due in part to
the fact that xenon is an absolutely
inert element. 1t will not combine with
anything.
Recovery Is Prompt
UnconsciousnesS comes after about
three minutes of inhalation. Recovery
is prompt. The gas must be mixed with
oxygen, since alone it will not support
life. First patient described was an 81
year-old man. The operation contem-
plated was extremely painful. The pa
tient became unconscious within three
minutes and the operation was started
shortly afterward. There were indica-
tions of satisfactory muscle relaxation.
Pulse and blood pressure remained
within normal limits. Upon discontinue
ance Of the inhalation the patient re-
covered within two minutes to the point
where he could identify himself and
within f1ve minutes to the extent where
ne could orient himself accurately and
clearly
The second patient was a 38-year -old
woman. A highly complicated operation
was carried out without incident. Within
two minutes after the operation the
patient had recovered consciousness to
the point where she knew she was in
the operating room. Five hours later
she had a perfect memory for state
ments made within five minutes after
the xenon inhalation was stopped.
Inert Gas Has Advantages.
The second rarest gas in the atmos-
phere is krypton. 1t exists to the ratio
of one part in 120 million. Tests at
Iowa State University, according to the
report. show that it has no anesthetic
properties. Use Of completely inert
gas would have many advantages to
surgeons.
The unconsciousness produced is light,
according to the report, and can best be
compared with the rather commonly
used anesthetic ethylene
Chile promises to be a major source
Of the strategic mineral, quicksilver.
Interior Department biologists, in CO.
operation with Chilean scientists, have
Intn -
resources in mercury which were ex-
plotted during the last World War, when
approximately 1000 TASKS were exported
to the Allied nations.
This highly volatile element has i'm
portant war uses, quite aside from the
fact that it is essential in metallurgy.
One of its significant uses is quite recent.
1t can be transmitted by atomic bonn
bardment into form of gold, whose
spectrum provides the now generally
accepted standard of length for the
entire world
u. S. Is Second Producer,
The element occurs in only a few
parts Of the globe. Up to now the chief
producer has been Spain. Fortunately.
the United States has been second with
considerable deposits in California and
smaller ones, little exploited to date, in
Texas. A large source for the Axis ma
tions was Austria.
The Chilean quicksilver deposits have
been known for almost two centuries.
They were first discovered shortly after
the middle OF the 18th century. This
was during the Spanish colonial period,
and all the mining was carried on by
the Spanish government.
Following the revolution, interest was
lost and there was little revival until
the last war when the world market
price advanced. Chiles resources be-
came significant again with the develop
ment Of new war Clouds. The element
is obtained chiefly as by-product of
gold mining