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system, in which even their cautious use may prove dangerous or 

 even fatal. 



Many cases of apparently alarming symptoms from the use of 

 both ether and chloroform have been reported, amongst -which may 

 be mentioned convulsions more or less severe and protracted, pro- 

 longed stupor, high cerebral excitement, alarming and long con- 

 tinued depression of the vital powers, and asphyxia. As secondary 

 effects, bronchitis, pneumonia, and inflammation of the brain, have, 

 in a few cases, been attributed to the inhalation of these vapours; 

 while some have supposed that they produced deleterious effects upon 

 the blood, which interfered with the reparative processes of nature, 

 after wounds, accidents, &c. 



As it relates to the relative safety of the two articles, ether and 

 chloroform, there would seem to be a decided preponderance of tes- 

 timony favourable to the former. 



The action of ether is slower and less intense, and the anaesthetic 

 state is generally preceded by a greater degree of excitement than 

 is observed with chloroform, but this fact would seem to render the 

 ether more controllable. 



It is the sudden and powerful impression produced upon the vital 

 energies, which constitutes one of the chief dangers of anaesthetic 

 agents, and hence, a priori, the rapidity and intense energy with 

 which chloroform acts would seem to render it less safe than ether. 



The dangers arising from asphyxia from exclusion of atmospheric 

 air in the process of inhaling, by the present improved methods of 

 inhalation are, for the most part, guarded against. During the brief 

 period in which chloroform has been on trial (less than six months) 

 the number of fatal results, fairly attributable to its use, exceeds 

 those of ether, (at least so far as the reports from this country 

 testify,) while ill effects arising from it have been reported from 

 various quarters, and, as before remarked, have determined several 

 of the most eminent surgeons of the country in returning to the 

 article originally employed. 



The number of well attested fatal cases resulting from the inha- 

 lation of ether is small, and in this country we know of no case 

 having been published. 



The committee having been informed that a fatal case had re- 

 cently occurred in the practice of Dr. J. "W. B. McClellan, of Phi- 

 ladelphia, after an operation for lithotomy performed upon a child, 

 while under tho influence of ether, addressed a letter of inquiry to 

 Dr. McClellan on the subject, to which the following reply has been 



