16 
J. F. REID. 
cessive doses in man: “ It has caused oppression, palpitation, 
faintness and headache but no tendency to stupor. In one 
case, frightful tonic and clonic convulsions occurred. The 
pupils are contracted, skin is- hot, respiration hurried. 
It is remarkable that it does not produce vomiting, nor 
usually diarrhoea. In one case death is said to have occurred 
with symptoms of gastro-enteritis, on the twentieth day after 
the oil was taken. The urine has a peculiar aromatic odor.” 
THE USE OF AN/ESTHETICS, 
By J. F. Reid, V.S., Decatur, Ill. 
A paper read before the Illinois State Veterinary Association. 
Mr. President and Gentlemen : 
Up to the past year there has been the greatest difference 
of opinion regarding the mode of administration and the 
value of anesthetics in veterinary practice, but since the sur¬ 
gical experiments for the cure of roaring (the character of 
which necessitating a condition of the patient only to be ob¬ 
tained by anesthetics), the operators were compelled to ex¬ 
periment on the safest, quickest and most economical method 
of obtaining this result. From these and other observations, 
the general profession has learned more during the past few 
months than in many years before. 
Formerly, the humane surgeon dreaded difficult surgical 
operations, being compelled to witness the excruciating pain 
that he inflicted on the animal, and at times fearing serious 
injury to, and being embarrassed in his operation by the ter¬ 
rific struggles of the patient. 
Now I think it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that 
the dangers of anesthesia are not nearly so great as those to 
be feared from the powerful struggles of the animal, and 
when we consider and add to this the wonderful advantage 
to the operator, we must come to the conclusion that the sur¬ 
geon neglecting the use of this important factor, does a great 
injustice to his patients and to himself. 
Anesthesia is generally divided into four stages. The 
first is employed where anodyne and anti-spasmodic effects 
