Volume 1

A dictionary of medicine : including general pathology, general therapeutics, hygiene, and the diseases of women and children / by various writers ; edited by Richard Quain ; assisted by Frederick Thomas Roberts and J. Mitchell Bruce.

Date:: 1894

Credit: A dictionary of medicine : including general pathology, general therapeutics, hygiene, and the diseases of women and children / by various writers ; edited by Richard Quain ; assisted by Frederick Thomas Roberts and J. Mitchell Bruce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$G3 AN/ESTHETICS ANAPHRODISIACS the view is tranquil as well as pleasant. If gas be given until there are intermissions in the breathing, or its administration continued for several minutes with a small allowance of air, there may be headache and even vomiting: still no other treatment than repose is needed. After the inhalation of ether a taste will remain. This may be got rid of by washing out the mouth, and gargling with warm fluids; while the vapour remaining about the patient and in the room may be removed by heating the surface by means of hot bottles, and making a bright fire. When the system has been long or pro- foundly under the influence of chloroform or ether, nausea and vomiting are likely to ensue. The writers have found warmth, fresh air, and abstinence from food efficient in relieving these symptoms. Hot tea and coffee, taken from a feeder without raising the head, and afterwards beef-tea and jelly, are sufficient for twenty-four hours, unless the patient wishes for something solid. The rule then should be to give little, or less than asked for. Ice relieves thirst, and serves to postpone the necessity for giving solids. Treatment of Dangerous Symptoms.— Anaesthetics hi excess destroy life by stopping the action of the heart, or the respiration; generally both are affected.1 When laughing- gas is given to animals till the breathing has ceased, the heart continues to beat long after- wards, and artificial respiration raj)idly re- stores them. Ether-vapour, given almost pure through a tracheal tube, will arrest the action of a dog's heart in sixteen seconds; but if it be administered as rapidly as possible with a cloth, without opening the trachea, the breathing fails before the heart, and the hajmadynamometer shows adequate pressure in the vessels whilst the breath is gasping, and for several seconds after it has ceased. With chloroform the haemadynamometer indicates diminished pressure directly the animal ceases to struggle, and the heart sometimes stops before the breathing. In case alarming symptoms should arise, the first effort should be directed to lessening the amount' of the anaesthetic in the lungs, by pressing the trunk with both hands, and squeezing out as much air as possible without causing a shock. If, after this has been done two or three times, the air does not readily re-enter the chest, the obstruction is to be overcome either by lifting the chin or draw- ing out the tongue; and other artificial move- ments of the chest must be carried on (see Artificial Respiration). If pallor be noticed whilst breathing is going on, the recumbent posture and elevation of the feet 1 On this subject reference should be made to 'An Address on Experiments on Antesthetics,' by Dr. Lauder Brunton, Trans. Medical Soc. of Lon- don, vol. xiii. p. 261, and Brit. Med. Jonm., 1890, ii. p. 531, for report of experiments b\r Dr. Mae William. are immediately required (see Resuscita- tion). Nelaton's plan of inverting the body has often been followed by recovery; butr considering the impediment to inspira- tion from the weight of the abdominal viscera, the writers are of opinion that the pelvis should never be many inches higher than the head. Nitrite of amyl—by reason of its effect in dilating the vessels of the skin—has been recommended, but without careful physiological inquiry, and upon very small clinical experience. Hypodermic in- jection of ether is also useful. Electricity might be expected to prove the best agent to assist the action of a feeble heart. Mr. Clover's experimental observa- tions were not favourable to its employment; and certainly artificial respiration should not be delayed one moment in order to apply electricity. Insufflation is not to be depended on. The condition would be rendered worse by dis- tension of the stomach, which cannot always be prevented by pressing the larynx against the spine. Laryngotomy may be required in cases where air cannot be made to enter the chest, in spite of throwing the head backward, and removing the chin away from the sternum. Hot-water injections may be of use, but there can be no necessity for brandy whilst artificial breathing is being carried on. Afterwards, if swallowing is difficult, brandy may be added to the enema. Friction of the limbs in the direction of the heart is unnecessary, jn'ovided the feet are slightly raised. Where there has been great loss of blood, the limbs should be bandaged firmly, from the fingers and toes upward, as in Esmarch's plan for saving the blood of a limb about to be amputated. In warm weather, or if the body is warm, a towel dipped in cold water may be flapped against the chest, but harm would result from cooling the body generally. Bottles of hot water and hot blankets should be applied as soon as the breathing is restored, and a brisk fire should be kept up, in order to favour the ventilation of the chamber. J. T. Clover. G. H. Bailey. ANALGESIA (d, priv.; and SXyos, pain).—Absence of sensibility to painful impressions. See Sensation, Disorders of. ANAPHRODISIA (a, priv. ; and 'AcppodiTt], Venus). — Absence of sexual appetite. Sometimes used to express im- potence. See Impotence ; and Sexual Functions in the Female, Disorders of. ANAPHRODISIACS.—Definition.— Medicines which diminish the sexual passion. Enumeration.—The agents employed as anaphrodisiacs are :—Ice, Cold Baths—local and general; Bromide of Potassium and Ammonium; Iodide of Potassium; Conhun ;$