Page 621 - My FlipBook

USE OF GENERAL AyESTHETICS. 619

become anesthetized by nitrous oxid and oxygen and he may be kept un-
der its iniiuenee for a considerable time ; in this wav the strutro'lin<>' stao-e
of ether is avoided. When the teeth are to be extracted at the patient's
liome or at any other place outside of the office, ether is more conve-
niently carried than nitrons oxid. If properly used and the patient has
perfect confidence in the operator, it can be so administered that one
tAvo, or tln-ee teeth may be extracted during Avhat is known as the first
^^^^^ ^^ ^*'^^^' anesthesia, before complete
jTjQ 5g2.
unconsciousness and long before the strug-
gling stage commences.
The best way to accomplisli this is to
administer the ether in a cone made by a
napkni or towel, with the small end slightly
opened s,, as to allow the patient to inhale
a small quantity of air ; it also permits the
l)aticnt to exhale freely and with a less suf-
focating effect. It is well to place in the
cone a small soft sponge that has been well
washed Mith hot water. After the cone is
ready the patient should be instructed to
breathe several long and full inhalations ; this
clears the lungs of much impure air and ac-
customs the patient to the
kind of breathing required.
Then the appliance is })laced
in front of and some distance
from and above the month
and nose, being careful to
allow none of the ether to
drop from the cone upon the
face, as it will demoralize the
patient. The inhaler is to be
advanc(>d toward the face
slowly and gradually, watch-
ing the effect upon the pa-
tient if there is a tendency
;
to cough, the advance should
Nitrous oxid gasometer.
be interrupted until this lias
passed. After the cone has closed tightly over the mouth and nose,
it is a good plan to ask the ])atient to hold up the left hand as long
as possible this will concentrate his thoughts upon the act and aM'ay
;
from the operation. When the hand begins to fall, the request to raise
the hand should be repeated ; it will soon fall, and in a few seconds