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ETHER AND CHLOROFORM. 



ETHER AND CHLOROFORM. 



Ether is an alcohol derivative. 



Chloroform is obtained by the action on alcohol of calcium hydroxide and bleach- 

 ing powder. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. Ether and Chloroform produce a progressive down- 

 ward paralysis of the nervous system, the medulla being the last affected; sensory 

 and receptive synapses are affected before the motor. 



Muscular System. No direct action. 



Respiration. Temporarily slowed from trigeminus and vagus reflex. Slowing 

 in third stage due to depression of medulla. 



Heart. Auricles progressively weakened; ventricles slowly dilated from toxic 

 effect. Action much more pronounced with Chloroform. 



Blood-pressure rises, then slowly falls under ether; falls ab initio and steadily 

 with Chloroform. Local irritation produces vascular relaxation, especially in splanch- 

 nic area ; this effect is more marked with Chloroform than with Ether. 



Pupil. Early dilatation; secondary contraction; coma dilatation. 



Alimentary Tract. Irritated through fat-solvent action. 



Secretory glands of mouth irritated reflexly. 



Metabolism. Chloroform tends to induce fatty infiltrations, especially of the 

 liver, through its solvent action. Ether tends to induce pulmonic complications, 

 through lowering of vital resistance. 



Absorption is exceedingly rapid through the lungs. 



Excretion is through the lungs; prolonged with Ether. 



Temperature is lowered through specific heat vaporization, and from lessened 

 heat production. 



Local action is irritant, especially if vapor is confined. 



Symptoms. 



ist Stage: 



Dyspnea and sense of asphyxia. 



Mental incertitude. 



Diminished sesthesia. 



Roaring in the ears. 



Enlarged pupil. 



Slightly accelerated pulse. 

 2d Stage: 



Aberrancies of consciousness. 



Erratic, inco-ordinated muscle 

 movements. 



Rambling, disconnected, abnor- 

 mal loquacity. 



Irregular respirations. 



Flushed skin. 



3d Stage: 



Profound sleep. 



Muscular relaxation. 



Reflexes disappear. 



Excessive secretion of saliva, with 

 Ether. 



Diminished force and frequency 

 of pulse. 



Flushing of face with Ether ; pal- 

 lor with Chloroform. 



Respirations becoming slower and 

 shallower. 



Temperature gradually falls. 



Pupil becomes constricted. 



Chloroform is three times as depressant as Ether, and eight times as toxic. 



Therapeutics. 



Ether and Chloroform are used principally as general anaesthetics. 



