836 
METHYL-ETHYLIC  ETHER. 
must  be  taken  as  bearing  on  that  subject  only.  He  had  intro- 
duced methyl-ethjlic  ether  as  the  readiest  and  best  agent  he 
knew  of  for  the  purpose  described.  It  was  better  than  nitrous 
oxide  gas,  because  it  allowed  air  to  be  given  with  it,  and  did  not 
asphyxiate ;  it  was  better  than  bichloride  of  methylene,  because 
it  did  not  produce  muscular  spasm  and  syncope.  At  the  same 
time  he  did  not  consider  it  as  perfect,  nor  should  he  consider 
general  anassthesia  perfected,  until  he  or  some  other  observer 
shall  discover  an  agent  that  will  destroy  sensibility  without  in- 
terfering at  all  with  organic  muscular  life,  volitional  power,  or 
consciousness.  Methylic  ether  approached  this  perfection, 
though  it  did  not  touch  it,  and  it  encouraged  perseverance  in 
experimental  research.  For  these  reasons  it  was  worthy  the 
attention  of  the  society. 
Dr.  Richardson  again  brought  this  subject  before  the  Medical 
Society  of  London  on  the  21st  instant.  He  dwelt  upon  the  value 
of  methylic  ether  as  a  general  anaesthetic,  recording  his  experi- 
ences of  it  during  the  last  eight  days.  He  mentioned  the  diffi- 
culties he  had  encountered,  first  in  keeping  the  methylic  ether  in 
solution,  and  secondly  in  method  of  administration,  and  explained 
how  these  difficulties  were  to  be  met.  Respecting  method  of  ad- 
ministration, he  said  that  the  ether  must  be  confined  in  a  bag,  in 
connection  with  the  inhaler,  and  from  the  bag  it  must  be  vola- 
tilized, by  means  of  a  hand  bellows.  The  instrument  for  this 
purpose  was  shown,  the  elastic  bag  contained  layers  of  domette 
to  receive  the  ether.  By  this  means  all  the  ether  was  utilized, 
and  usually  two  drachms  would  be  found  a  sufficient  quantity. 
Dr.  Richardson  reported,  that  since  the  last  meeting  of  the  so- 
ciety he  had  administered  the  ether  seventeen  times,  and  with  a 
success  quite  equal  to  his  expectations.  The  ether  produced 
quick  relaxation  of  the  muscles,  with  dilatation  of  the  pupils, 
and  this  last  was  a  good  test  of  insensibility.  The  blood  which 
flowed  during  an  operation  retained  its  arterial  hue,  and  there 
was  no  sign  of  asphyxia,  or  of  vomiting.  Recovery  was  rapid, 
and  methylic  ether  promised  to  be  the  best  and  safest  of  anaes- 
thetics. In  prolonged  operations  it  might  be  advantageously 
mixed  with  bichloride  of  methylene,  the  two  fluids  being  in  equal 
parts.  The  effect  of  bichloride  in  causing  spasm  and  vomiting 
was  greatly  controlled  by  the  ether. — The  Med.  Press  and  Cir- 
cular, Dublin,  March  80,  1870.  . 
