C— 1. 



ANESTHETIC AGENTS, 



THEIR MODE OF EXHIBITION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS. 



BY HENRY J. BIGELOW, M. D. 



There is no difference of importance in the general character of 

 the insensibility or other symptoms resulting from the inhalation of 

 ether and chloroform. The latter, whose discovery in this relation 

 the world owes to Professor Simpson, is much more potent than 

 ether, more palatable, and less irritating to the lungs. 



Chloric ether was extensively employed by Mr. Lawrence, and 

 has been since used by other experimenters. Its effects are appa- 

 rently identical with those of common ether, than which it is if any- 

 thing less powerful, while its vapour may be a little less irritating. 

 Its odour is certainly more agreeable. 



Nitrous oxide was employed by Horace Wells in his experiments. 

 It was then found to produce exhilaration out of proportion to its 

 inebriating properties. In order to place this gas in circumstances 

 favourable for its complete effect, it should be furnished to the lungs 

 as freely and as pure, as ether vapour from the evaporating surface 

 of liquid ether. It should be supplied from a large gas-holder, and 

 not from a small gas bag; and that portion of the gas which has 

 been deprived by the lungs of its inebriating principle, should be 

 exhaled as waste. Thirty quarts thus inhaled by myself produced 

 complete but brief insensibility; and on the 26th of April, I removed 

 a breast by the aid of about twice that quantity, consumed during 

 six minutes, and producing a most tranquil and complete insensi- 

 bility. Though bulky, nitrous oxide is quite likely to prove a cer- 

 tain, as well as safe, and agreeable anaesthetic agent, administered 

 in the above manner, which I have not seen alluded to. In the case 

 mentioned, the pulse, which Dr. Townsend was good enough to note 



