BOON OF NEW ANAESTHETIC.

Northern Advocate, 6 May 1914, Page 2

BOON OF NEW ANAESTHETIC.

V Urethane," a new anaesthetic, which, it is claimed, will prevent the heart failure of those under its influence during operations, is now being experimented with at a Cambridge laboratory. ."This drug," says "The Times," "which is obtained by combining urea with alcohol, is administered hypodermically, like morphia, with a syringe. Insensibility to pain is complete, and any operation may be carried out with perfect security," Animals upon which experiments have, been made become drowsy and soon passed into a state of very deep unconsciousness. The animals remained in this state for some hours, and then gradually regained consciousness. "Should the driig be given in an overdqse," adds "The Times," "death will, of course, take place, but that is due primarily to failure of breathing. The importance of this is not clear until one realises that the majority of deaths under chloroform occur as the result of heart failure. The assurance that in all cases of overdose the breathing would be affected before the heart—and not after it —would be an immense comfort to the surgeon and anaesthetist."