RECENT VETERINARY LITERATURE. 
470 
This drug is ranked by its chemical properties as standing be¬ 
tween alcohol and ether. Diluted with water or glycerine, it 
has a peculiar odor, antiseptic and hypnotic action. The drug 
is described as not satisfactory for producing deep sleep, but as 
acting peculiarly on the sensitive nerves—30 grammes, approx¬ 
imately an ounce, given in capsules permitting painless per¬ 
formance of severe operations. 
The following notes concerning local anaesthetics are taken 
mainly from the Journal of Comparative Pathology and Thera¬ 
peutics : Cocaine dissolves rapidly in either hot or cold water, 
changed chemically by boiling and rendered ineffective. Should 
usually be made fresh, but when 2 per cent, of carbolic acid is 
added it keeps fairly well. The immediate local effect occurs 
from 2 to 5 minutes, about 15 minutes required for anaesthetizing 
the larger nerves, like the digital or plantar. Anaesthesia lasts 
from 20 to 30 minutes. Kxtent of area anaesthetized depends 
upon the way the circulation is controlled and upon the tissue 
into which it is injected. Eucaine used alone is slower in ac¬ 
tion and does not produce as complete anaesthesia, but the effect 
when once produced lasts much longer. It has the advantage 
over cocaine in that it may be boiled for sterilization without 
decomposition. It has the further advantage of being consider¬ 
ably cheaper than cocaine. A mixture of eucaine and cocaine 
is in some respects preferable to either alone, especially as 
effect lasts longer. Holocaine has something of an antiseptic 
action, and like eucaine is not decomposed on boiling. It is 
not suitable for general use, as it is considered somewhat more 
dangerous than cocaine. Used chiefly for the eyes ; not very 
commonly used. Orthoform was more recently introduced ; 
seems to be especially valuable for large surfaces of wounds 
and mucous membranes. Non-poisonous, can be used over 
large surfaces very safely. The writer has recently commenced 
the use of chloretone, but is not as yet prepared to express any 
opinion as to its value. 
Dr. E. Merillat gives some interesting surgical u nevers ” in. 
the June Review. Several of these appeal to me quite strongly. 
