Etherum.
Ethyl oxide. Ethylic Ether, sometimes called Sulphuric Ether. (C2H5)2O (Alcohol is C2 H6O).
Clinical.─
Bronchitis. Catalepsy. Convulsions.
Cough. Delirium tremens. Hiccough. Mania. Meningitis. Nausea. Vomiting.
Characteristics.─
Ether
is the well-known anćsthetic, and the effects are those observed in patients under the
action of its vapour, administered for the purpose of operation, in habitual ether drinkers
(of whom there are numbers in Ireland), and on some who have voluntarily experimented with
the drug upon themselves. Closely allied to alcohol, it possesses very similar intoxicating
properties, produces visions frequently pleasurable, hallucination, and, in some instances,
a persistent maniacal condition. Convulsions, spasms, and a cataleptic state have also been
observed. Bronchitis is a not uncommon after-result of ether anćsthesia, and for this Belladonna has been observed to be the best antidote. Chilliness
is complained of by many. Macfarlan reports the cure of a woman of 60, who had been confined
to bed for weeks with severe neuralgia of the head, raised welts on scalp like ridges
accompanying the pain. Ether 200 cured quickly.
SYMPTOMS.
1. Mind.─
Exhilaration; furious excitement;
flushed face.─Pleasant dreams of rapid flight through the air, gorgeous
visions and unearthly music.─Frightful dreams; fancied he heard the
ringing of his own funeral bell.─Low-spirited, fearful of some disease,
desponding (lasting some months).─Complete loss of consciousness.
2. Head.─
Muzziness; dizziness; headache with
partial blindness follow ether anćsthesia.─Meningitis.─Temporal
arteries enlarged; beat violently.─Head drops to one side or is thrown
back.─Severe neuralgia of head with raised welts on scalp.
3. Eyes.─
Eyes suffused; lids closed; conjunctivć
injected.─Pupils dilated.─Dim vision as if mist or
thin cloud before eyes.
4. Ears.─
Sounds indistinct; seem far off, yet
resound violently in the ears.
6. Face.─
Face flushed.
8. Mouth.─
Mouth often open.─Salivation;
slight frothing at mouth.─Pronunciation difficult and indistinct.
11. Stomach.─
Hiccough persistent.─Nausea.─Vomiting.
17. Respiratory Organs.─
Violent cough from
stinging or heat in bronchia.─Expectoration of blood.─Breathing
quickened; stertorous.─Congestion of lungs and brain.─Extreme
coldness of the chest, wants it covered.─Tightness; irritation and pain.
19. Heart.─
Excitement and invigoration of heart’s
action.─Pulse full and bounding.
23. Lower Limbs.─
Paralysis of lower extremities.
® 2000
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