Practical notes on nitrous oxide (N2O) : a brochure / by J. Ottley Atkinson.

  • Atkinson, J. Ottley
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical notes on nitrous oxide (N2O) : a brochure / by J. Ottley Atkinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/52 (page 10)
    tion of the patient is required. Examinations, such as passing the hand down, and under the dress, for the purpose of ascertaining that the chest and waist are free, are in the main to be avoided ; they tend to create alarm in the minds, and lead to trouble with patients of hysterical temperament, and do more harm than good. Our best authorities are opposed to them. Mr. Braine and other authorities on the sub- ject, advise “ that a superficial examination should always be made, such as feeling the pulse, and ascertaining that the chest walls expand fairly well, by simply placing the hands on the chest, and directing the patient to take one or two deep inspirations ; but this is with a view to satisfy the patient, and put one’s self on the right side in the event of an accident and cdnsequent awkward questions that might be asked, rather than to obtain any very precise information for one's own guidance. Sir Joseph Lister, alluding more particularly to chloroform, but the opinion is if anything more applicable to Nitrous Oxide, maintains that such examinations are quite unnecessary, and, in fact, tend to alarm the patient and raise suspicions in their minds which were previously non-exist- ant. I think then it may be laid down as a pretty safe rule that if the patient or friends