Anaesthetics] / [Anaesthetics 



At the bottom of the canister a piece of sponge 

 or lint should be fixed, on which the chloroform 

 should be poured. More of the anaesthetic as 

 required may be syringed through one of the 

 lower holes. The tin can be fastened on the 

 nose by tapes, which should be passed behind 

 the ears and tied. 



Cocaine, a Substitute for Chloroform : Cocaine 

 is an alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the 

 Erythroxylon Coca, which grows as a kind of 

 shrub in Bolivia and Peru. 



The hydrochlorate of cocaine is the preparation 

 mostly used, as it is more soluble in water. 



Cocaine is equal in its effects to chloroform in 

 many operations where the parts to be removed 

 are not very deep-seated ; besides, its use is 

 much more economical, as not only is the drug 

 itself of less expense, but when operating it is 

 not necessary to have a separate attendant to 

 administer it, as is the case when chloroform 

 is given. Then it is much more easily given 

 (by a hypodermic syringe), and the dog does 

 not resist it at all ; whereas, chloroform is 

 resisted by the patient with all its strength. 

 In some cases three or four assistants are 

 required to hold a big dog whilst it is being 

 administered, and I have known some dogs to 

 struggle so violently against taking chloroform 

 that one has been obliged to discontinue giving 

 it, for to have persevered would have endangered 

 the doom's life. This alone is sufficient reason 

 to make cocaine a more favourable anaesthetic 

 than chloroform. 



