ON THE VAPOUR OF jETHER. 
135 
of the experiment. It was soon affected ; foamed at the mouth; ex- 
pelled the urine and feces, and made violent efforts to escape; crying 
out as loudly as it could during the administration of the vapour. 
The effect was certainly marked, even more so than was altogether 
pleasant. The little animal lay for six minutes and forty seconds 
to every appearance dead : it recovered slowly, and with spas- 
modic efforts. Long after the breathing had commenced I could 
not count the heart ; nor, for some time, was any sign of recog- 
nition evinced. The poor thing screamed out as it was recovering 
from the deadening influence, and shewed all those symptoms of 
pain, which, at least, are distressing to witness ; and cannot; in 
animals, be proved to be disconnected with sensibility, though it is 
doubtful whether they are indicative of suffering. On the follow- 
ing day the kitten was far from well : it was constantly coughing; 
breathed with some difficulty ; and sat apart, refusing food. I gave 
it no medicine, but watched those consequences which evidently 
arose from the inhalation. The lungs were affected. Ausculta- 
tion rendered the fact certain, and there was no symptom displayed 
that did not give the same indication. A week passed before the 
animal was in any way recovered ; but, at the present moment, it 
has not perfectly regained its former spirit. This case is of worth, 
as it proves that the vapour acting on the bronchial membrane may 
start up inflammation ; indeed it is, in my belief, an irritant to every 
mucous surface, save that of the mouth. 
The end of my endeavours to apply the effects of aether to our 
dumb fellow-creatures, I acknowledge, was not pleasant to me. A 
marked result, that would allow of exultation and not admit of doubt, 
had certainly been more agreeable to my taste. Still truth, in 
any form, is always gain, and I had obtained experience which 
success could never have afforded ; but I could not bring myself to 
carry my experiments on animals further. I waited to learn more 
about the vapour, but, as I do not think any knowledge worth ano- 
ther’s torture, so I resolved myself to be the next subject of expe- 
riment. Perhaps, by giving my own person up to science, I 
wished to make some atonement to the poor beasts I had uninten- 
tionally caused to suffer. If we were all served alike, then none 
of us could grumble ; or, if I was served the worst, perhaps I 
could plead excuse better for the motives which had actuated me. 
I resolved to have a dens savientia , extracted, in order to test 
the effects, thinking it a fit offering for the occasion. Accordingly 
I waited upon F. Normansell, Esq., the well-known surgeon-den- 
tist, living at 1, Gloucester-street, Portman-square, and requested 
his assistance. I indicated the tooth I wished removed ; but the 
gentleman would not proceed without examination, which having 
made, he declared there was no disease present, and he would not 
