Practical anaesthetics.

  • Boyle, H. Edmund G. (Henry Edmund Gaskin), 1875-1941.
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Practical anaesthetics. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    19/228 (page 5)
    thm^nd nf n. fjrjo towel in the mouth. This serves two purposes :— 1. It keeps the lips apart and allows air to enter freely. 2. It soaks up saliva and mucus. Fear of the Anaesthetic. Fear of an anaesthetic is a very real factor, and probably accounts for more deaths than is commonly supposed. There are many patients to whom the taking of an anaesthetic is a much dreaded ordeal; they not only have a deeply rooted fear of it, but also are firmly convinced that they will die under it. It is with such patients that some of the fatalities of anaesthesia occur. It must be remembered that many people have sufficient self- control to enable them to outwardly conceal their fear. Therefore nothing must be done which might startle a patient, and if he is obviously frightened every effort should be made to reassure him. In every case, whether or no the patient be nervous, there should be absolute quiet in the room during the induction period. Talking,