Observations on some local anæsthetics / by Dyce Duckworth and Richard Davy.

  • Dyce Duckworth
Date:
[1862]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on some local anæsthetics / by Dyce Duckworth and Richard Davy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    senseless or stupid.” The misunderstanding of the true and compre¬ hensive meaning of the verb a/trQavo^ui, has evidently, we apprehend, induced Professor Bennett to object to the use of the word anaesthetic when applied to chloroform; but throughout the present paper we shall use the term anaesthetic in its correct and ordinary acceptation. Professor Simpson informs us that, so far from the term anaesthesia being a new one in medicine, it was employed by Dioscorides 1200 years ago, and hence its present employment by the profession. 1. Observations on the Local Physiological Effects of Chloroform and its Vapour. Experiment 1.— Vapour. We applied the vapour to our arms in test tubes for periods of ten and fifteen minutes. In about three minutes a feeling of coldness was experienced in the parts operated upon, the skin becoming reddened. This sensation merged into one of slight irritation, but never amounted to pain. In from ten to fifteen minutes, on pricking the arm, sensibility was decidedly diminished, though not abrogated. Subsequently no local signs of irritation remained. Experiment 2.— Topical application of Chloroform in the form of liquid. We applied chloroform on lint, and in test tubes, to the backs of our hands and arms for periods varying from ten to thirteen minutes. Very soon an irritative action commenced in the part, gradually increasing and becoming slightly painful for about seven minutes, when the pain began to diminish, and a sense of heat remained in the part, with well-marked redness. On pricking the arm in one case, it was found totally insensible to the stimulus for the space of half a minute, after which sensibility gradually returned. In the other case, total anaesthesia was not pro¬ duced,—the application, however, being maintained for ten minutes only. The sensibility was nevertheless greatly diminished. In both cases persistent redness remains, the line of pressure being especially wTell-marked, and the parts continue super-sensitive if touched. 2. Application of Ammonia in Vapour and Liquid. Vapour.—Mr Davy applied the vapour of the liquor ammonias fortissimus to the back of his arm for ten minutes; very slight tingling ensued. No anaesthesia nor signs of irritation. Liquid.—He next applied a mixture of equal parts of liquor ammonise fortissimus and water to the flexor surface of his forearm in a wide test-tube for ten minutes. Irritation commenced imme¬ diately, and increased gradually up to the time of removal, when perfect anaesthesia resulted. This, as in the case of liquid chloro¬ form, quickly disappeared. The cuticle was found to be detached from the cutis vera. Irritation continued at the part for ten days afterwards. 3. Chloracetisation. Our attention has been directed within the last few days to a new mode of producing ana3sthesia. It was introduced by M. Fournie, who communicated his results to the French Academy not 1