A second edition of my little work being required at the expiration of only a few months is gratifying to me, as evidence that my views regarding the use of an Anodyne in Parturition have attracted considerable attention. I may take this opportunity of stating, that I have never had any intention of undervaluing the merits of others who have laboured in the field of anæsthetics, my only claim to attention consisting in the novelty of my mode of applying the agent, by which its effects are so remarkably modified.
When chloroform is administered in the usual way it is given slowly, and "goes the round of the circulation" before it relieves the pain or produces anæsthesia. Whereas, in my plan of using the "anodyne," the rapidly repeated but interrupted impressions made on the nervous system produce the anodyne without the anæsthetic effect—before, indeed, the mass of the blood has become affected. In this consists all the originality to which I lay claim. I have used the word "anodyne," instead of "modified chloroform," in consequence of this peculiarity of its effects. I cannot but regard this as an improvement on the old plan of using chloroform—which relieved pain, it is true, but it produced loss of consciousness also, and was not unattended with danger.
2, Harleyford Place, Kennington, S.,
October, 1862.
The following remarks on the administration of an anæsthetic agent during parturition are reprinted from the Lancet. I have appended a series of Letters, illustrative of the efficacy of the mode of proceeding I adopt.
2, Harleyford Place, Kennington, S.,
June, 1862.
For some time past, my attention has been directed to the use of anæsthetics in parturition. I had often been requested by patients to administer chloroform to them during labour, but I had seen the ill effects of this drug in one instance so strongly and almost fatally developed, that I shrank from its use. After considerable reflection on the subject, I thought that if a plan could be devised by which the anæsthetic agent should act only in deadening sensation, and not interfere with consciousness, it would be a boon to the accoucheur as well as to the patient. How was this to be effected? Two conditions appeared necessary for its accomplishment—namely, a modification of the Inhaler at present in use; and certain additions to the chloroform—additions which would reduce its strength, and give it a certain flavour. These two conditions I had not much difficulty in fulfilling. But there arose an obstacle of more serious moment: How, when, and for what time, was the inhalation to be made? I will now give an account, seriatim, of my inhaler, the anodyne fluid which I employ, and the mode in which I direct the inhalation to be made.
The Inhaler[A] is similar to one very commonly used in administering chloroform. It has, however, in addition, two tubes, an inch and a quarter long and a quarter of an inch in diameter, running parallel to the floor of the inhaler. These tubes, being placed above and to the sides of the inspiring valve, admit two small streams of