148 EFFECTS OF THE INHALATION OF .ETHER ON ANIMALS. 
of the general application of sethereal inhalation to animals and 
that “ in his experiments and operations he has received Essential 
assistance from his brother, who is in partnership with him.” 
The operation of NEUROTOMY, under the influence of aether, has 
likewise been performed by Mr. Spooner, at the Royal Veterinary 
College ; as will be seen from the following notice thereof, which 
we extract from Bell's Life in London. 
“ The horse was labouring under chronic lameness of the near 
fore foot, from navicular disease, and the operation of unnerving 
was resorted to. In this case the aether vapour was inhaled for 
about thirteen minutes, when the horse fell forwards, and the nerve 
on each side of the leg was divided by Mr. Spooner, without the 
least manifestation of pain : a slight convulsive action of the limb, 
similar to that which takes place when the nerve of a recently 
killed animal is cut through, alone giving indication of any sensa- 
tion. Within twenty-three minutes this animal had also recovered 
from the effects of the sether. No restraint whatever was resorted 
to, to keep the animal in the required position for these operations, 
but an apparatus temporarily adjusted by Mr. Morton until a more 
perfect one was obtained.” 
In like manner has the sheep been treated ; and in like manner 
has this animal been tranced ; and Mr. Simonds, of the above in- 
stitution, has accomplished amputation on it during its insensibility ; 
as will be seen from the following, taken from the same paper. 
“ The sheep had been for many months affected with an incura- 
ble disease of the hock -joint. The pain was so severe that the 
poor sheep was quite unable to put her foot to the ground without 
experiencing much suffering. On being brought into the theatre, 
she was caused to inhale the vapour of aether through a tube, and 
in about five minutes afterwards it was evident that she was under 
its influence. The leg was then amputated by Mr. Simonds at the 
thigh, without the slightest indication of any pain whatever. The 
operation occupied about six minutes, and within twenty minutes 
of the commencement the animal was removed from the theatre 
restored to sensation and consciousness.” 
From the same source — Bell's Life in London — we learn that 
Mr. Edwin Taylor, veterinary surgeon, of Bury, has performed 
neurotomy and also firing on an ass mtherealised. 
“ On Saturday, the 30th ult., about half-past two o’clock, the ani- 
mal commenced inhaling the fumes of sether through one nostril, 
the other being completely closed by an assistant. In about four 
minutes he became obviously affected, and dropped upon his hind 
quarters, and then upon his side. The operation of neurotomy was 
then commenced ; an incision was made through the integument at 
the fetlock-joint, and the metacarpal nerve cut down upon and di- 
