Differences in Toxic Effects of Ether and Chloroform. 27 



time we could keep them alive. We show here the lungs of one 

 of these dogs. Death occurred in this instance about four hours 

 after the injection. The quantity of the injected pneumococcus 

 culture was quite large — about twenty cubic centimeters. About 

 two thirds of the right lower lobe is consolidated; as you see, it 

 is very dark and firm, and the surface shows numerous small 

 patches of fibrin. 



19 (715) 



Differences in the toxic effects of ether and chloroform, as 

 observed under intratracheal insufflation. 



By T. S. Githens and S. J. Meltzer. 



[From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology of the 

 Rockefeller Institute.] 



In studying the toxic effects of chloroform and ether, when 

 administered by the method of intratracheal insufflation, we 

 observed various differences in the course of the intoxication 

 brought on by excessive doses of these anesthetics. We shall 

 discuss here, however, only the differences in the toxic action of 

 these drugs upon the functions of respiration and blood pressure. 

 At the outset we have to point out, that when administering the 

 anesthetics by the insufflation method one of their dangerous 

 effects is here eliminated ; it is the danger which is bound to result 

 from a partial or complete paralysis of the respiratory function. 

 Under the method of insufflation, life remains safe even when the 

 animal is completely curarized. Observations may be carried on, 

 therefore, even after spontaneous respiration is completely abol- 

 ished. On the other hand, intratracheal insufflation carried on 

 with ordinary, permissible air pressure, does not cause apnea, 

 that is, the individual continues to carry on its own spontaneous 

 respirations, which on tracings are easily distinguishable from the 

 infrequent partial interruptions of the continuous insufflation of 

 air. 



The observations which we wish to report here briefly are as 

 follows. When using ether, a certain dose may be administered 

 which is amply sufficient to keep the animal completely anesthe- 

 tized, while respiration and blood pressure may remain practically 



