Chloroformum.
CHCl3. Solution.
Clinical.─
Arachnitis. Convulsions. Delirium
tremens. Gall-stones. Muscć volitantes. Paralysis of sphincter vesicć. Puerperal
convulsions. Sick headache. Smell, lost. Taste, lost. Tetanus. Typhus. Vertigo.
Characteristics.─
Chloroform
is the well-known anesthetic, the general effects of which in arresting sensation need no
description. Unlike Ether and Nitrous oxide, which require to be administered without air,
chloroform vapour must have abundance of air inhaled with it, or asphyxia results. Its most
noteworthy effect is complete relaxation of all the voluntary muscles of the body. It may
cause death by paralysing the respiration or the heart. Its use is contraindicated where
there is brain softening; fatty heart; alcoholism; or albuminuria. Marcy cured with it a
case of arachnitis ending in convulsions. It is especially indicated in delirium where
excitement and violence predominate; desire to kill. Paralysis of voluntary and involuntary
muscles and special senses. Chloroform will dissolve
gall-stones, and cases have been treated by the injection of Chloroform
into the gall-bladder.
Relations.─
Compare:
Chloralum. Antidoted by: Amyl. nit., Ipec., Brandy; Ice
in rectum. It antidotes: Strychnine.
SYMPTOMS.
1. Mind.─
Wild excitement, followed by complete
insensibility.─Sang comic songs; could scarcely be persuaded to leave
the piano.─Obscene language used under its influence, in two provers.─Desire
to kill.
2. Head.─
Vertigo, rising from spine into occiput.─Whirling
in head as if he would fall forward.─As if ground waving on closing
eyes.─Head drawn down on shoulders.─Severe bursting
headache in forehead.─Headache with dizziness; with roaring in ears;
with excessive nausea and vomiting.
3. Eyes.─
Conjunctiva insensible.─Pupils
dilated, insensible to light.─Eyes turned up.─Sight
gradually went out and returned gradually.─Dark points and bright
streaks.─Small black points float before eyes.─Large
black spots; grey spots; float a few inches before the eye; follow the motion of the eye.─Bright
and dark points; sparks; flashes of light.
4. Ears.─
Roaring in ears, like boiling water.
5. Nose.─
Complete loss of smell (lasted two
months).
6. Face.─
Face as if intoxicated; flushed; livid.
8. Mouth.─
Teeth smooth, as after acids (fourth
day).─Soapy taste.─Taste lost.
9. Throat.─
Burning in throat; scraping.─Violent
scraping and coldness in fauces on inspiration.
11. Stomach.─
Eructations.─Burning
in stomach; alternating with chilliness.─Nervous hiccough.─Nausea
and vomiting, sea-sickness, or morning sickness, much acidity and great distension of
stomach and bowels with gas; abdomen tense; rumbling.
14. Urinary Organs.─
Paralysis of sphincter of
bladder (after parturition).
17. Respiratory Organs.─
Stertorous breathing.
19. Heart.─
Constantly increasing retardation and
weakening of action of heart and arteries.® 2000
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