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PROFESSOR HARLEY ON THE INFLUENCE OF 
Ether. 
The action of sulphuric ether, which is also used as an anaesthetic, upon blood is both 
chemically and physically different from that of chloroform, as shown by the result of 
the following experiments. 
1st. Chemical effect of ether upon blood. 
A quantity of ox-blood, after being defibrinated and well saturated with oxygen in the 
usual way, was divided into several portions, to one of which nothing was done, while to 
another 5 per cent, of sulphuric ether was added. After the different portions of blood 
had been kept with 100 per cent, of atmospheric air during twenty-four hours, in a room 
of moderate temperature, they yielded the subjoined results. 
Gas from pure ox-blood, twenty-four hours’ action, 100 per cent, of air yielded — 
No. 60. — In 100 parts. 
Nitrogen . . . 86'09 
Gas from ox-blood plus 5 per cent, of sulphuric ether, twenty-four hours’ action, 100 
per cent, of air. Result : — 
No. 61. — In 100 parts of air. 
Carbonic acid . . 3'40 
In the experiments with ether the amount of oxygen absorbed by the blood could not 
be ascertained in consequence of the gas in the eudiometers refusing to explode. Even 
after the tubes were nearly filled with explosive gas the electric spark failed to ignite 
the gas, yet when the eudiometers were removed from the mercury trough, the gases 
instantly and violently exploded on the application of a lighted match. 
2nd. Physical effects of ether upon blood. 
When 5 per cent, of ether is added to fresh blood no marked effect is observed, except 
that the blood does not arterialize so readily as with chloroform. When ten, twenty, or 
more per cent, is added, the difference in the physical effect of the two anaesthetics upon 
blood is very striking. The etherized blood becomes clear but dark in colour, and cannot 
be made to assume the perfect arterial tint, not even after prolonged agitation with 
renewed portions of atmospheric air. The greater the percentage of ether the more 
visible is this effect. 100 per cent, of sulphuric ether gives to blood a beautifully rich 
transparent port-wine colour. When left some hours in repose, part of the ether sepa- 
rates from the blood and floats as a colourless liquid on the surface, while the blood 
itself still retains the rich dark hue, except the layer in immediate contact with the 
ether, which appears as if it had a vermilion tint. When examined with the micro- 
scope the blood-corpuscles are found to be completely destroyed, their colouring-matter 
being set free. 
