MAN --AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



with the hand in order that no nerve in the field of 

 operation may be left free to carry an activating im- 

 pulse to the brain. If the operation be abdominal, 

 first the skin, then the subcutaneous tissue, then the 

 fascia and, finally, the remaining muscle or posterior 

 sheath and the peritoneum are in turn novocainized, 

 subjected to momentary pressure to spread the anes- 

 thetic and then divided within the blocked zone. If 

 the blocking has been complete, then, upon opening 

 the abdomen, the intestines will lie within the abdom- 

 inal cavity, and the abdominal muscles will be com- 

 pletely relaxed. Under these conditions the entire 

 abdomen may be explored without awakening the 

 nociceptor sentinels. If the operative procedure is 

 such that activation is inevitable, ether is added in 

 advance. 



In suitable cases in which no infection is present, an 

 additional guarantee against postoperative discomfort 

 may be given by an injection of quinin and urea 

 hydrochlorid, in a \ to \ per cent solution. This 

 anesthetic is injected at a distance from the line of 

 incision. Its effects last for several days so that by 

 its use the patient is protected from noxious impulses 

 from the operative field until the healing process has 

 well begun. 



Results of Anociation 



The result of a systematic employment of anociation 

 in all cases operated by me in Lakeside Hospital 

 has been to decrease the mortality rate to less than 

 one third the mortality rate before the method of 

 anociation was employed. Unless all facts are known, 



