An account of a new anaesthetic agent, as a substitute for sulphuric ether in surgery and midwifery / By J.Y. Simpson.

  • Simpson, James Young, 1811-1870.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of a new anaesthetic agent, as a substitute for sulphuric ether in surgery and midwifery / By J.Y. Simpson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

    34/36 (page 32)
    bracing seven teeth, was removed, the patient was about 50 years or age, the other hut 23. Etherization was imperfectly produced, probably ow- ing to the advanced age of the patient, which is cited as confirmatory of the opinion expressed in Dr. H.'s letter, of the different effects of anes- thetic agents upon persons of different ages. R., C, & Co.] From J. Kearney Rodgers, M. D., Surgeon N. Y. Hospital. Gentlemen:—I have received your note inquiring as to my experience witn Chloroform, and answer that I have used it in a number of operations, some of them severe ; and in all with the most happy effects. It is cer- tainly preferable to Ether. The patient is sooner put under its influence, which may be continued, as I am satisfied, more than an hour and a half without any Unpleasant consequences; and the vapor so far Irom being offensive, as is the Ether to many, is rather pleasant to the bystanders. The objection of its occasionally irritating the lips can easily be obviated by a proper inhaling apparatus. I consider the discovery of these anaes- thetic agents one of the most beautiful presents ever made by science to humanity. Very respectfully yours, J. KEARNEY RODGERS, M. D. 110 Bleecker street, Feb. Uth, 184S. Messrs. Rushton, Clark, & Co. From A. Goldsmith, M. D. Gents.—I have received your polite request for information relative to my experience in the use of Chloroform, and in reply would state, that 1 have used it with great satisfaction, and with the most happy results in many cases, and consider it, when judiciously used,[a most valuable agent. Among other cases where I have used it, was one of an elderly lady, who had been suffering for a long time with an incurable disease of the joint oi the large toe, involving the metatarsal bone. I concluded to remove the diseased part; and knowing it to be a painful operation, administered the Chloroform, although with some hesitation, owing to the age of the patient. It required about ten minutes to produce the complete anaesthetic effect. I then removed about half the metatarsal bone with the toe, tied the arteries, and dressed the wound; a few minutes after which she awoke as from a refreshing sleep, and asked if we were ready to perform the operation. I particularize the case in consequence of some doubt having been entertained relative to the propriety of administering the anaesthetic agent to aged persons, but in my own experience I have not seen any unpleasant effect follow its exhibition. Very respectfully yours, A. GOLDSMITH, M. D. February 12th, 1848. Messrs. Rushton, Clark, & Co.