Alexandria Gazette

SURGICAL OPERATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ETHER.

We were witness on Wednesday evening to a peculiarly nice and difficult surgical operation under the influence of ether, the pain-deadening agent, about which so much has been said of late years. The patient was a child in his twelfth year, and the complaint was dislocation of the thumb, where it connects with the hand. Dr. S. J. Swaim, of Myrtle avenue, was called immediately after the accident, and took the proper measures of remedy, as far as they could be attained, under the circumstances. He made two separate trials for setting the joint, but the pain was so great and the sinews so rigid that he was compelled to desist without success. He called in the assistance of Drs. Parker and Frank. The use of ether was decided upon; and in about half an hour the third attempt was made. We had supposed that the effect of ether was to produce a kind of sleep, or torpor; but in this instance, the little patient seemed to remain wide awake, although quite insensible to the severe pulling and wrenching which was yet necessary. In the former efforts, his cries and spasmodic efforts were painful to witness; under the effect of ether he remained perfectly quiet and tractable. The relaxation of the muscles was also another favorable result. His face flushed and the circulation rapidly raised but the success was clear—in a few minutes, the joint was in its place again. Some while afterwards, when "awake," he was surprised on hearing that the operation was over. There may be—doubtless are—cases in which great caution should be had in the use of this soothing, (and still brain affecting,) agent; but the observation of last night unalterably convinced us of its remarkable efficacy, as a general thing. It is, probably, advisable in forty-nine cases out of fifty, where great bodily pain is to be undergone.—Brooklyn Eagle.