Leaf's experiments with chloroform and ether / conducted at Hyderabad (Deccan).

  • Leaf, Cecil H. (Cecil Huntington)
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Leaf's experiments with chloroform and ether / conducted at Hyderabad (Deccan). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    respiration and the dog recovered -opontanoonely. When more chloroform was ^subsequently given till the respiration ceased he again recovered spontaneously. This shows conclusively that the fact of the heart having stopped is no proof of its weakness, and as we have never found the heart stop even temporarily during anEesthesia, or-after cessation of the respiration, in those cases in which both vagi have been divided, whereas it is common in dogs whose vagi are intact, we are led to believe that the stoppage which occurred in this case was purely reflex in origin. With the view of observing whether the heart’s Temporary arrest of heart impossible after action could, apart from reflex stoppage, be arrested tempora- section of both vagi. ™ , , . . . P ., riiy or be affected many way, prior to respiratory failure we performed several experiments, in which both vagi were divided, and „ the effects of administering enormous doses of chloroform Administration of # _ _ _ ] large doses of chioro- noted. Experiments LXXIand CXVI are good examples. In these cases enormous doses of chloroform were given but at no time prior to respiratory embarrassment was any feebleness of the needle-move- ments observed. The administration of the largest possible doses of chloroform produced no prejudicial effect on the heart, and it is certain that no amount of chloroform given by inhalation can produce, cardiac syncope or any direct effect ^6 7tile on the heart up to tho time the respiration peases. The following facts prove this : (i) the heart needle continued beating vigorously for a considerable time after the respiration had ceased, (ii) both animals twice recovered spontaneously after the cessation of respiration. Moreover, when the respiration finally stopped for a fourth time in Experiment CXVI, the needle was still beating vigorously. In dogs therefore it is abundantly evident that the heart beats effectively after stoppage of the respiration by an overdose of chloroform ; and that temporary stoppage of the heart, whether produced spontaneously or artificially, is not a ganger but a safeguard. This fact was originally discovered by Dr. Bomford, and is strongly insisted upon by the Hyderabad Commission. 6. WTe found that when chloroform was given to an animal while he Administration of was struggling violently and holding his breath the needle chloroform while the frequently stoppefl for some seconds, either during; this breathing is irregular \ x ± n 7 . ° causes natural inhibi- period or very shortly afterwards. This was of such fre- quent occurrence that at first it seemed as though the needle, owing to the violent struggles, had been displaced. But that this was not so, is proved by the fact that the needle in the majority of cases, without being removed and re-inserted, continued beating regularly later on. Tn ex/ilvi uttitTl XXXIL 7ieec77c- STb/i/ic eX 2 lit tit- /& Seccnic7s