SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL. 
295 
A conversation ensued amongst the Members regarding the 
effects of “ aether vapour and, as the question is an important 
one, it may be as well to state the results arrived at : — 
Mr. Field stated, that he had performed various operations with 
the knife and actual cautery on animals while under the influence 
of aether: he found that there was a serious impediment to an ope- 
ration from the want of sufficient resistance to the knife, in con- 
sequence of the laxity of the tissues generally ; that very little 
blood flowed, from the state of collapse ; that no advantage ap- 
peared to him to arise from its action during an operation ; and 
he feared that subsequent recovery would too frequently be found 
to be interfered with ; and he had, therefore, come to the conclu- 
sion, that, practically, it was not a means of inducing quiescence 
that he should feel confidence in employing or recommending. 
Mr. Goodwin took very similar views. 
Mr. Ernes considered, in many respects, that the symptoms 
were a good deal similar to those arising from suffocation, and 
made some very scientific remarks, coming to the same general 
result as the previous speakers. 
Mr. James Turner was strongly opposed to it : he could not see 
what real advantage its use indicated; yet he could not but think 
that, under certain conditions of the system, it might prove highly 
valuable as a remedial agent ; that, however, time must shew. 
The President took very similar views. 
The views of Messrs. Henderson and Arthur Cherry being 
already recorded, we shall not enter into them here. 
The conclusions to which the discussion led seemed to be unani- 
mous, — that the use of aether vapour as a means of inducing qui- 
escence under an operation was not attended with results suffi- 
ciently important to overbalance its probable injurious effects, but 
that its use as a remedial agent might prove hereafter to be 
valuable. 
The discussion then terminated. 
Sitting of April 14, 1847. 
Present — the President, the Secretary, Messrs. Arthur 
Cherry, Henderson, Ernes, James Turner, Braby, 
Cherry, Sen., Goodwin, and Field. 
The Minutes being read and confirmed, 
Mr. Ernes commenced by stating that, in consequence of the irre- 
gular proceedings which had occurred at the examinations at Edin- 
burgh last year, he thought it advisable to move, “ That the portion 
