366 ETHER 



As a prompt and powerful diffusible stimulant ether is 

 useful in collapse, whether caused by shock, haemorrhage, or 

 exhausting disease. With alcohol, it is used in par- 

 turient apoplexy in cows, and in such cases, when the 

 patient is unable to swallow, it is advantageously given 

 hypodermically. Chills and rigors which usher in many 

 attacks of disease, are sometimes checked by a dose or 

 two of ether. It equalises irregular circulation, restores 

 imperfect action of the skin and kidneys, and gives tone to 

 the enfeebled heart. Hard- worked horses, especially in 

 towns, prostrated by catarrhal fever, are thus benefited, 

 even from the outset of the attack, by ether, given with 

 alcohol and salines. In convalescence from inflammatory 

 and exhausting diseases in all classes of patients, conjoined 

 frequently with aromatics and bitters, it improves the 

 appetite, strengthens the feeble pulse, and sometimes 

 allays cough. 



As a stimulant it may be safely prescribed repeatedly 

 wherever it reduces the number and increases the strength 

 of the pulse, lowers excessive temperature, and promotes 

 secretion. It should be avoided where there is much vas- 

 cular excitement and inflammatory fever. As ether taints 

 the carcase and spots the flesh its employment as a medicine 

 for cattle should be guarded. 



As an anaesthetic it is used for the same purposes as 

 chloroform, and is administered in the same manner and 

 with similar precautions. 



Local anaesthesia is usually induced by applying the 

 ether from a spray producer. For this purpose the ether 

 must be tolerably pure, for water, if present, gets frozen 

 and blocks the instrument. About an ounce usually suffices 

 for the painless opening of abscesses and fistulse, or for 

 tenotomy. The effects, however, are more superficial and 

 transient than those of cocaine, and are more apt to be 

 followed by irritation and reaction, which retard healing 

 of surgical or other wounds. A minor degree of local 

 anaesthesia sometimes allays neuralgic pains and those of 

 toothache and earache. 



DOSES, etc. The B.P. ethyl-ether, containing eight per 

 cent, of alcohol and water, is generally used for medicinal 



