ICE, ETHER, ETHVL-CHLORIDE. 



23 



water, ice, ether, and ethyl-chloride) depends chiefly upon the 

 amount and intensity of the cold produced. 



Cold water and ice have a very transient effect and are only 

 suitable for trivial operations, such as the lancing of abscesses, 

 or the removal of small superficial tumours. In order to act 

 efficiently they must be applied for a few minutes directly to 

 the part upon which the operation is to be performed. 



In ether and ethyl-chloride we have drugs by the aid of which 

 the parts are artificially frozen and thus deprived of sensation. 

 Ether is applied with a spray as first introduced into human 

 medical practice by the late Sir W. B. Richardson, M.D. 



The parts to be anaesthetised should have the hair removed by 



Fig. 11. 

 Ether spray apparatus. 



shaving and be then rendered aseptic and as dry as possible, 

 the ether being forced out of the bottle by the rubber bellows, 

 and falling directly in the form of a very fine spray on the 

 required spot. 



Ethyl-chloride, which is also applied in the form of a spray, is 

 sold in a very portable and neat form in small glass or metal 



vessels. 



It is applied directly to the spot at which anaesthesia is to be 

 produced by merely removing the metal cap from the end and 

 holding the bottle in the warm hand. 



These two agents are also best .suited for minor operations, 

 such as the lancing of abscesses, the anaesthetising of the skin, or 



