NITROUS OXIDE AS AN ANÆS THETIC.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3122, 19 February 1879, Page 2

NITROUS OXIDE AS AN ANÆS THETIC.

The remarkable intoxicating effect of nitrous oxide or laughing gas on the animal system is known to be largely'utilised by the dental surgeon for producing a temporary insensibility. The effect is very transient and is not followed by depression. The gas, however, aa ordinarily used, must not be respired for long, as a process of asphyxia goes on. The wellknown French physiologist, M. Paul Bert, has recently sought a way of employing this agent for producing a long insensibility, such as is required for more important surgical cases, and he has discovered that with the gas under pressure this may be effected. Jlis experiments thus far, indeed, have been only on some lo^rer anCjjbajs, but the results may probably be taken" as applying to the human system as well. After a few respirations-in a compressed atmos* phere containing one-sixth of nitrous oxide, a dog was thrown into deep anasthesia. The heart continued to beat and the temperature was normal. Excitation of the sensitive nerves caused reflex phenomena. M. Bert maintained this state a whole-hour. On admitting, ordinary air to the4ungsat the end of this dine the ordinary functions were seen to be restored after the third inspiration. Sensibility returned, and therewith activity ; and even vivacity. This latter is not the case with inhalation of chloroform; and M. Bert supposes the reason to be that chloroform forms a combination with the principles of the blood, whereas nitrous oxide is simply dissolved with nutritive liquid. In presence of such results he is hopeful that hospitals will procure the apparatus necessary for applying nitrous oxide in the compressed state.