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REMARKS ON THE EFFECTS OF AETHER. 
By ALEXANDER Henderson, Veterinary Surgeon to the Queen 
Dowager, and W. A. Cherry, M.R.C.V.S. 
The new and important discovery of the effects of sether, when 
the vapour is inhaled in sufficient volume and of sufficient density 
to render the nervous system insusceptible, and maintain animal 
life under its influence for a considerable period without destroying 
the vital energy, seems now to be so well established, that to doubt 
the fact would be bordering on folly ; but not so is the doubt as 
to the risks to be run in its administration or in its after-conse- 
quences. 
It is not in any way for the purpose of impeding the progress of 
the discovery, or of bringing it into disuse or disfavour, that the 
remarks suggested by the following experiments are made ; but for 
the purpose of warning others, and perhaps thereby guarding 
against the recurrence of untoward consequences. 
We must own that the results of our observations have been 
peculiarly unfortunate, when we see published so many statements 
of such great success ; and we must further admit, that our sur- 
prise is the greater after the statements which have been put forth 
by the Professors of the Veterinary College, of its perfect applica- 
bility and easiness of exhibition to any kind of animal : indeed, 
so light has any difficulty in its use been made to appear, that one 
of the Professors has publicly stated, that a common soap-dish 
filled with sether and held to the animal’s nose was all that was 
required, and that the sensation was so delightful, that it was 
eagerly inhaled, and that, when sufficiently affected, the animal 
quietly laid down and submitted, without resistance, to whatever 
was requisite to be done : great indeed, we repeat, was our sur- 
prise at the results we have witnessed. 
The time was taken, watch in hand, in each experiment. 
Experiment I. — A medium-sized cart horse was put under the 
influence of the sulph. sether. After seven minutes’ inhalation, the 
animal reeled, and was on the point of falling ; but it appearing 
doubtful whether any more striking result would ensue, and the 
apparatus being too small, so that a considerable portion of atmos- 
pheric air was commingled with the sether, the whole was re- 
moved, and the animal recovered its usual state. The quantity of 
sether consumed was twelve ounces. 
EXPERIMENT II. — A bay carriage horse, in high condition, and 
of gentle temperament, and without any apparent disease, was 
submitted to the vapour. After the apparatus was adjusted, ten 
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