246 MAN AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



sistance of the patient, already lowered by his diseased 

 condition, will be still further lowered. No matter 

 how perfect and non-shocking the actual operative 

 technique itself may be, the outcome will be prejudiced 

 by these early adverse factors. (Figs. 57, 58.) 



If, however, the preoperative environment of the 

 patient be free from all but the most beneficent sug- 

 gestions ; if his nerves be calmed and his consciousness 

 dulled by the preoperative administration of a sedative ; 



FIG. 57. CHART SHOWING EFFECT OF EMOTIONAL EXCITEMENT ON THE 



TEMPERATURE. 



As a result of a Fourth of July celebration, the children in a ward at 

 Lakeside Hospital showed an average increase in temperature of If degrees F. 



if a non-suffocating, odorless inhalation anesthetic be 

 employed ; if, during the course of the operation, every 

 division of sensitive tissue, be preceded by the injec- 

 tion of a local anesthetic to cut off from the brain all 

 injurious afferent impulses ; and if this be followed 

 by the injection of a second local anesthetic to protect 

 the patient against the painful period of postoperative 

 adjustment; and if gentle manipulation and sharp 

 dissection be used, if all these measures be employed, 

 the patient will be protected against all damaging fac- 

 tors except those inherent in the diseased or injured 

 condition from which he is seeking relief. 



