Page 258 - My FlipBook

256 DENTAL MEDICINE.

receives considerable air as well as the ether vapor. Before com-
mencing the inhalation, the condition of the pulse should be
ascertained by placing the middle finger of the left hand on the
left temporal artery, and at the same time endeavor to reassure
the patient and allay fear by cheerful words. The clothes should
be loose, and artificial teeth, if any are worn, as well as pins or
tobacco, if the habit of keeping them in the mouth is indulged
in, should be removed before the administration of the anesthetic
is commenced, to prevent them from slipping into the larynx
and causing death. The patient should be directed not to par-
take of any food for twelve hours preceding the administration
of ether in order to avoid vomiting, except a little milk or tea
one or two hours before its administration— a piece of wet muslin
mav be placed over the eyes—to prevent the vapor or liquid from
causing irritation. The inhalation should be commenced by
holding the moistened lint or towel three or four inches from the
patient's face, directing him to breathe quite naturally, always
remembering that a strong atmosphere in the early stages of the
inhalation is dangerous, and carefully watching for coughing or
acts of swallowing, when, if any such occur, the lint or towel
should be moved further away, and approached again more
gradually. If the patient shows ho signs of the anaesthetic vapor
being too strong, the lint or towel may be gradually brought to
within an inch and a half of the patient's mouth and nostrils;
and to still more concentrate the atmosphere, if lint is used, the
hand holding it may be covered with one fold of an ordinary
large napkin, which may hang loose over the mouth and chin,
but should be so arranged above that the patient's eyes and fore-
head may remain uncovered and visible. The inhalation should
be commenced cautiously, by instructing the patient to breathe
quite naturally, and to obey any direction to raise the hand or
open the eves.
When the inhalation has fairly commenced, it should be con-
tinued until there is no winking when the margins of the eyelids
are touched, or the hand cannot be raised, and the limbs are per-
fectly relaxed, when the patient is ready for the operation ; what
is termed the " surgical period " having arri-ved. An inhalation