207 



Or memory may recall the manifestations of an operation of which 

 it has forgotten the sensations. And it is said that cognizance and 

 memory may be distinct, while the machinery of muscular action is 

 deranged. 



Mental excitement, hilarious or hostile, is not uncommon in an 

 early stage of narcotism, and is materially influenced by its 

 rapidity. 



Pulmonary irritability varies with the individual. 



Chloroform is less irritating to the lungs than ether, and so, per- 

 haps, is chloric ether. 



Violent cough is occasionally excited by a small quantity of 

 vapour, while a much larger quantity may occasion none ; but by a 

 little careful graduation of the first few inspirations, the patient may 

 be saved much unnecessary irritation. Soon pulmonary sensibility 

 is narcotized, and the patient breathes quietly. Even habitual 

 dyspnoea, or the paroxysm of asthma, is temporarily solaced by this 

 agent. As the process is continued, the trachea becomes insensible 

 to the presence of fluid, whether blood from operations near the 

 mouth, or the increased natural secretions of the pulmonary surface. 



Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon sequences or concomi- 

 tants either of partial or complete anaesthesia; nor, beyond their 

 interference with the progress of the inhalation, and with the mere 

 comfort of the patient and of the operator, are they objectionable. 

 They are allied to the nausea induced by other narcotic and inebri- 

 ating agents, and have especial relation with the duration of the 

 anaesthetic process. 



The snoring inspiration indicates profound sleep. Varying a 

 little in the facility of its production in different individuals, it is a 

 constant phenomenon of a certain stage of narcotism. While it is 

 often desirable to induce this symptom, its exhibition renders further 

 inebriation unnecessary for the moment. It is always accompanied 

 with muscular relaxation, and soon succeeds it. It results from the 

 relaxation of the muscles of the palate ; and in this connection it is 

 desirable to distinguish it from another symptom, of somewhat dif- 

 ferent signification, viz: 



Stertorous respiration, due to spasmodic action of the vocal chords, 

 and allied to the spasmodic action of other muscles. It is somewhat 

 rare in iis occurrence; once heard, it will be readily recognized, and 

 indicates a brief suspension of the inebriating process. Though of 

 itself, it is quite unimportant, yet as the immediate cause of another 

 symptom, it deserves further consideration. The closure of the 



