THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANAESTHETICS 39 



Remedial Measures and Antidotes. 



In all cases where general anesthesia is practised antidotes 

 should be placed beforehand in a position where they can be 

 obtained and used at a moment's notice. Strong ammonia 

 and Scheele's hydrocyanic acid are the best in the author's 

 experience 



Upon the first signs of danger, at once tear off the mask 

 and remove all restraint ; carry the patient carefully into the 

 fresh, cool air, place in a horizontal position, lowering the 

 head slightly in such a way that the lumen of the trachea is 

 not at all lessened ; open the mouth, withdraw the tongue, 

 either with the fingers or forceps, continually pulhng it for- 

 ward in a jerky manner ; apply a full medicinal dose of 

 Scheele's acid to the back of the tongue, the vapour of 

 strong ammonia to the nostrils, and immediately commence 

 artificial respiration. 



The latter can be done in several ways. We may copy 

 the method known in human practice as Sylvester's, which 

 consists in placing the patient on its back and slowly en- 

 deavouring to imitate normal respiratory movements by 

 extending the fore-limbs well over the head, and then pressing 

 the elbows and bent limbs against the sides of the thorax. 



A second, which appears to bring greater success in the 

 dog and cat, consists in laying the animal on the right side 

 and emptying the thorax by means of a number of short, 

 sharp efforts, the natural elasticity of the ribs causing the 

 chest to expand again. 



Whichever way is adopted, the mouth at the same time 

 should be held open and the tongue drawn well forward bj- 

 short, sharp jerks, in order to raise the larynx and allow as 

 free a passage as possible for the entrance and exit of air. 



A third method, which will cause the lungs to be filled, is 

 performed by taking hold of each elbow and jerking the body 

 upwards into the air several times. This is certainly a very 



