THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHLOROFORM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 148, 24 June 1901, Page 2

THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHLOROFORM.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Dr. Bakewell's wide experience of chloroform administration, extending over a period of more than half a century, must certainly be a unique one. He himself states that he has given chloroform for 53 years. Now, it is only 54 years since Sir James Simpson published his first, account of this drug as an anaesthetic, and certainly 53 years since its introduction to the medical profession as a general anaesthetic. Therefore, Dr. Bakewell administered chloroform one year after its discovery as an anaesthetic.

For the moment, I am going to leave Dr. Bakewell, in the year 3.848 experimenting- upon his unsuspecting patients with the practically -unknown and untried chloroform. The following is an extract from Dr. Bakewell's letter of Friday evening: "To put persons who have recently obtained their diplomas, and who can have no experience, to administer chloroform is, in my opinion, a scandalous risking of human life." lam not going to deny or even suggest, inaccuracies in Dr. Bakewell's statement. His vast experience is entitled to respect. But I am constrained by his statement to ask one or two questions, the reply to which ma? allay my fears as to the actions of Dr. Bakewell himself in 1848 and later.

Question 1: How many years qualified was Dr. Bakewell in the year 1848, the year he began, the administration of chloroform? Question 2: Had Dr. Bakewell administered chloroform in the years previous to his qualifying as a medical practitioner? Question 3: How many years' experience of chloroform administration did Dr. Bakewell have in the year 1S48? Question 4: When Dr. Bakewell chloroformed his first patient did he consider himself thoroughly experienced in chloroform administration? If so, why? Question 5: Did Dr. Balcewell consider that he was scandalously risking human life during the aforesaid administration? If not, why didn't he?

Surely when Dr. Bakewell penned that unfortunate extract, which X have made, he forgot that he himselc was young once, and that his experience of 53 years was not gained in a day. After 53 gears' acquaintance with chloroform, it may be safe to submit to its administration by Dr. Bakewell; but what about his early days when certainly under 25 years of age, and not too long graduated? Picture Dr. Bakewell's early attempts at chloroform administration, when he did not even have the benefit of other men's experience! I can easily understand why he says "Thank God" in mentioning his results. Dr. Bakewell is too modest.

"Time cures all things," and although most of us remember that wo were born very young, some of us, at the end of 70 years, seem to believe that we were born very wise, very experienced and very old. I trust that you will favour me as you have done Dr. Bakewell, and publish m™ letter in extenso.—l am, etc.,

MAESDAN,