Lectures on general anaesthetics in dentistry : advocating painless dental operations by the use of nitrous oxid, nitrous oxid and oxygen, chloroform analgesia, ethyl chloride and somnoform / by William H. De Ford.

  • De Ford, William Harper, 1858-
Date:
[1908], [©1908]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on general anaesthetics in dentistry : advocating painless dental operations by the use of nitrous oxid, nitrous oxid and oxygen, chloroform analgesia, ethyl chloride and somnoform / by William H. De Ford. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    self with every possible safeguard. If he is a recent g-radiiate, or has onl}^ been in practice a few years, and in his alma mater gave only a theoretical course of in- struction in,general anaesthetics, and if, upon the wit- ness stand, he would have to state that, prior to engag- ing in practice, he had never administered an ana:'s- thetic, he might be placed in a very compromising position. Such a dentist should, for his own protection, go to an anaesthetist of recognized ability and take practical instruction in administering anaesthetics. As medical and dental colleges do not provide such instruc- tion, there is no other alternative. This would apply equally to the middle-aged man, or, in fact, to any dental practitioner who desires to avail himself of the use of anaesthetics in his practice, if he has not Jiad previous practical experience. He owes this much, not only to himself, but to the community in which he lives, and to those who place their lives in his keepmg. In case of an accident, inquiry will also be made as to what antidotes and restoratives were at command when needed, what measures of resuscitation were used; so it behooves a dental practitioner to keep him- self well informed and abreast of the times, if he administers anaesthetics. A dentist has a right to administer general anais- thetics in his practice, unless there in a statute to the contrary; provided, as previously stated, he can show that he is competent and possesses the requisite skill, knowledge and experience. Davy Crocket used to say, Be sure you are right, then go ahead. This is appli- cable to the ])rcsent case. Properly prepare yourself