280 INORGANIC AGENTS 



arterial ansemia. Failure of respiration in chloroformization 

 is secondary to cerebral anaemia, and chloroform kills, 

 primarily by vasomotor depression. (Leonard Hill and 

 Hare.) 



The ventricles dilate and all cardiac muscular contrac- 

 tility is lost in fatal poisoning. Death, however, occurs 

 almost invariably in healthy animals during chloroform 

 inhalation from respiratory failure associated with circula- 

 tory depression. The heart usually continues to beat after 

 cessation of breathing. Death from syncope occurs occa- 

 sionally, and circulatory depression is greater and occurs 

 more suddenly than with ether. As chloroform anaesthesia 

 proceeds, the pulse becomes rapid from the depressing 

 effect of chloroform upon the vagus centre. 



Respiration. — Chloroform does not markedly affect the 

 respiration, when inhaled for an ordinary period, or when 

 ingested in small doses, but after long continued inhalation, 

 or when large quantities have been swallowed, depression 

 and paralysis of the respiratory center ensues. Since 

 asphyxia leads to inhibition and heart failure — besides 

 being dangerous in itself — the respiration should always be 

 watched as carefully during chloroform as in ether inhala- 

 tion. 



Nervous System. — Chloroform influences the nervous 

 system as described under ether; that is, the cerebrum, 

 sensory and motor spinal tract, and sensory and motor 

 centres of the medulla. Chloroform, although generally 

 following the order noted, affects the nervous system 

 more rapidly, irregularly and persistently than ether, and 

 therefore is more dangerous. It occasionally happens that 

 some of the reflexes are abolished by chloroform before 

 sensation has been annulled, and irritation of a sensory 

 nerve produced during operation may reflexly stimulate the 

 inhibitory centres (instead of increasing vascular tension as 

 in health), and so cause hear" failure. Operations should 

 never be performed, therefore, under chloroform until com- 

 plete anaesthesia is secured. The nerves ar« not influenced 



