ANESTHESIA 281 



by the constitutional action of chloroform, although the 

 latter is a local irritant and anaesthetic to them. 



Temperature. — The temperature is reduced by the con- 

 tinual inhalation of chloroform through its depressing 

 action on the heat producing centres, and because heat loss 

 is increasecf by evaporation of chloroform from the lungs. 



Antiseptic Action. — Chloroform prevents the growth of 

 micro-organisms, but does not influence that of the unorgan- 

 ized digestive ferments. Chloroform's antiseptic properties 

 may be utilized in preserving solutions for subcutaneous 

 injection. Saturated aqueous solutions are used for this 

 purpose. 



Elimination. — Chloroform is eliminated by the lungs 

 and kidneys, but is also decomposed in part in the body. 



Uses External. — Chloroform is employed in liniment to 

 relieve pain aud produce counter-irritation in muscular 

 rheumatism and strains. 



Uses Internal. — Chloroform is of service internally in the 

 treatment of four conditions : 1. Intestinal colic. 2. Flatu- 

 lence. 3. Diarrhoea. 4. Cough. Chloroform alleviates 

 pain in colic by restoring the functions of the nervous and 

 muscular mechanism of the bowels, by relieving spasm, and 

 also by its local anaesthetic action. It stimulates motion 

 and secretion ; it is an antiseptic in the digestive tract, and, 

 in these ways, overcomes flatulence. 



Chloroform should be combined with opium in diar- 

 rhoea and colic. It is administered in spirit or water to 

 assuage cough. 



Administration. — Chloroform may be administered in 3 

 parts of glycerin ; in emulsion with white of egg or accacia ; 

 or as the spirit, diluted with water. 



ANESTHESIA. % 



Anaesthesia is commonly divided into three stages : the 

 stimulant, anaesthetic and paralytic. The so-called " law of 

 dissolution" is illustrated by anaesthetics, as the more highl 

 organized (cerebral) centres are the first to succumb, wh; 



