[Anaesthetic and other therapeutic properties of chloroform].

  • Simpson, James Young, 1811-1870.
Date:
[1847]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Anaesthetic and other therapeutic properties of chloroform]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    ANAESTHETIC AND OTHER THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES OF CHLOROFORM. BY ,T. Y. SIMPSON, M.D., F.R.S.E., vii.m'SBon or midwifery in the university of ki>inburgh, ano TnYSiciAN-AcrouciiF.i’R TO HER MAJESTY IN SCOT!. .ND, ETC. from the monthly journal of medical science, decemder IS17. At the first winter meeting of the Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Society (10th November), I directed the attention of the members to a new respirable anaesthetic agent which I had discovered a short time previously,—viz., Chloroform, Chloroformyle, or Perchloride of Formyle. In this limited notice, I shall state briefly some of the principal facts pertaining to its histoiy, composition, effects, &c. Chemical History and Composition.—Chloroform was discovered at nearly the same time by Soubeiran (1831), and Liebig (1832). Its chemical composition was first ascertained by Dumas and Peligot (1835). It consists of 2 atoms of carbon, 1 of hydrogen, and 3 of chlorine; or, to express it otherwise, of 1 atom of formyle, and 3 of chlorine. Hence its chemical formula is C2 II Cl3 ; or Fo Cl3. Modes of Preparation.—It may be obtained by various processes. 1. By the distillation of a mixture of diluted spirit, pyroxylie or wood spirit, or acetone, and chloride of lime (bleaching powder); or, 2. By making milk of lime, or an aque- ous solution of caustic alkali, act upon chloral; 3. By leading a stream of chlorine gas into a solution of caustic potass in spirit of wine, &c. Physical and Chemical Properties.—It is a clear limpid liquid,as heavy as 1 ’480; not inflammable; very volatile; and boils at 141 It has a fragrant, fruitlike odour; and a sweet saccharine taste. Therapeutic History.—It has been used internally. Guillot employed it in asthma, diluted with water one hundred times (1844). My friend, Dr Formby of Liverpool, told me, about two years ago, that he used it often in a diluted form as a diffusible stimulant; and I have, since that period, frequently prescribed it G : A BDlf UFROU : SUTHERLAND ANI) KNOX, 53, J’HINCKS STREET. UNIVGRSiTi