[A minimum quantity of ether has more to do with the lessening of ether vomiting than has the atropine. The two important points in this connection are: (1) care must be taken that the patient does not swallow mucus and saliva impregnated with ether; (2) he must not be lifted and moved about while he is under ether. With some persons, however, severe vomiting will take place whatever precautions are adopted. DUDLEY BuxroN, Assoc. Ed., Annual, '96.] Pulmonary symptoms occur in series. They are due to decomposed ether, which then gives off vinous alcohol and per oxide of hydrogen. Ether should be kept in small. entirely-filled, well-corked. bottles, kept in cool, dark place. Rem nants taken from partially emptied bottles should never be used. Bruns (Berliner klin. Woch., Dee. 17, '94).
[This plan was adopted at my sugges tion at University College Hospital with the best result for some years past. DUDLEY Buxrrox, Assoc. Ed., Annual, '96.] It is very important, as has repeatedly been shown in this article, to keep the patient warm while he is under the an ;esthetic and afterward. He should be wrapped in blankets, and hot-water bottles should be placed around him.
Among other complications of ether anaesthesia are mental excitement and nervous phenomena of various kinds. These, however, promptly disappear in practically all cases under symptomatic treatment.
Local Anmsthesia.—Local anaesthesia may be obtained by means of a spray of ether, which acts by causing intense cold of the surface by evaporation. It is a useful procedure for minor surgical operations, especially for the opening of abscesses. It has been also used for major operations, but is far inferior to other methods.
Therapeutics of Ether.—Hypodermic ally, ether is of value in the treatment of many conditions. Its widest applica tion is in the treatment of shock, sink ing-spells, collapse, cardiac failure, and convulsions. Ten to 15 drops hypoder mically, or more in strong adults, is sometimes followed by prompt reaction.
It is also valuable in asthma, hiccough, and other spasmodic neuroses, and in hysteria, neuralgia, and migraine. Thirty to SO minims in ice-cold water or in capsules, followed by a mouthful of water, are promptly effective in most cases. It has also been used by rectal injection, but the local irritation pro duced counterbalances its advantages.
Vapor of ether injected. into the rec tum in lead colic. It calms the spas modic state and renders the action of purgatives less irritating. A rubber tube should be attached to a small bottle of ether, the end passed into the rectum, and the bottle placed in warm water. A. Torre (Bull. Gen. de Then, Feb. 15, 'SS).
Brilliant results reported from the subcutaneous injection of ether in the case of a woman apparently moribund front the fumes of burning charcoal, other remedies having been used in vain. Tcstevin (L'Abeille Med., Aug. 6, 'SS).
In influenza, and the weak states that follow it, injections of ether appear to act remarkably well, especially in those cases in which pneumonia ensues. Peter (Times and Register, Apr. 22, '90).
Case of paralysis observed following the subcutaneous injections of ether. Ether produces neuritis, and the anaes thetic should be injected where there are few nerves, or where these are well protected, care being taken not to .pene trate too deeply into the tissues. Eber hart (Centralb. f. Gynii.k., No. 12, '91).
Ether recommended in large doses in the treatment of various forms of ne phritis, especially as a powerful means of mitigating and even curing dyspncea clue to urremia. The treatment consists in giving, every half-hour or every hour, 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls of ether in a little sweetened water. It is better to give part of the ether subcutaneously. M. Lemoine and M. Gallois (Jour. des Practiciens, July 3, '97).