Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Mr. Liston on the respiration of sulphuric ether. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.
19/32 page 41
![iiient; and, we had hoped, of benevolence, especially among medical men. But alas ! for the medical profession ! If this kind of quackery is tole- rated by the brotherhood generally, I say alas ! for medicine! However, in view of what is, let us ask—has there been an invention in the article alluded to ? Has our good friend Dr. M. discovered, manufactured and brought to light, a substance or article before not known ? Has his benevolent mind and skilful hand wrought into being a monster, leviathan- like in power, to be placed under the control of a few, whom fortune has favored ? Noble man, a noble deed. Already do we see even our own county papers teeming with loud-sounding certificates, lauding the lion, or rather the letheon of the day. And now, Mr. Editor, I must protest against any man, or set of men, patenting an article of our materia medica ; much less the application of that article, either simple or compound. It is true that rectified sul- phuric ether produces, when taken by inhalation, at first, a powerful stimulating effect upon the system ; and secondly, a narcotic influence, which soon succeeds the first.*! At this crisis, the ethereal vapor is removed from the patient, and in a short time the said influences pass off without apparent injury. While in this state of stupor, minor operations may be performed by the surgeon with, perhaps, less ])ain to the patient; but I cannot, as yet, believe that this genteel mode of making patients dead drunk commends itself to the public, so much as to require the shield of legal right. If so, why not make all doctors patent doctors, and all medicines patent medicines, and let the whole system of patents and patentees have their full course, run and be glorified, and give to those craven spirits that thirst for gold, the offering that they themselves bring. Viewing this subject in the light I do, I shall use, in all forms, all medicines, and all drugs, of which I now have knowledge, or may have hereafter, in all places, and under any circumstances, where- the good, comfort, benefit, or best interest of my patients may require. Very respectfully yours. Pawkt, Vt., January, 1847. A. S. H. EXCESSIVE VENF.aY—SOFTENING OF THE BR.'MN. [A coRRfispoNDENT, a SurgeoH in the U. S. Navy, has kindly flivored us with the following case, which occurred under his care. Henry Butler, Negro, tet. 35, was admitted upon the sick report of the U. S. Naval Hospital, Port Mahon, upon the evening of January 4th, 1845, with disordered stomach. Ordered R. Ipecac, 3 ss. ; and after its operation, sulphas magnesia, § j. 5th.—Is much better; complains only of debility. No medicine re- quired. Diet. Uth. For the last six days has complained of nothing except debility. Yesterday was indiscreet in his diet. This morning is jaundiced. R. Mass. hydrarg., grs. iij.—ter in die.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21015648_0019.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
