They have also been employed in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases, fevers, etc. They are found very useful in the detection of feigned diseases, as affected paralysis, dumbness, or contraction of limbs. They have been sometimes employed for nefarious purposes in cases of violence, where a struggle or noise was feared. - The first effects of all anaesthetics, or when they are taken in small quantities, is exhilarating and intoxicating as from any diffusible stimulant, evidenced by bursts of laughter, hysterical weeping, or loud unmeaning talk. When long continued or in large doses, there ensues a general feeling of warmth, extra power, and excitement generally, first felt in the extremities, soon followed by a prickling benumbed sensation, with confusion of ideas, noises in the ears, usually compared to the vibration of an engine from one side of the head to the other, and flashes of light before the eyes. This is soon followed by loss of sensation and voluntary motion, and total coma. The patient is generally observed to become a little flushed in the face, the veins of the forehead turgid, the eyes suffused and staring open, and the pupils dilated.

The pulse is generally increased at the commencement of inhalation, but becomes decreased often lower than natural when the system is fully under the influence, which is the time chosen for the performance of all great surgical operations. The respiration, which is slightly quickened at first, becomes slower and deeper in the somnific state. The temperature of the body remains generally of the ordinary standard, but becomes slightly reduced when the influence is long continued. The effects of the anaesthetic generally disappear soon after the administration is discontinued, and the patient returns to consciousness with merely a slight tendency to sleep and dizziness, and with no recollection of anything which has happened during the inhalation. Sometimes, however, the recovery is attended with nausea or vomiting, which most often happens when the drug is taken on a full stomach; for this reason it should not usually be given until several hours after a meal has been eaten. No person has yet been found to withstand the influence, but the effect is seen much sooner and more quietly in some than in others. Anaesthetics should not generally be used in diseases of the heart or brain, or when there is excessive degeneration of the lungs.

When, from an over-dose or the inattention of the giver, the patient seems likely to sink, and respiration is suspended, the vapor should be removed from the mouth at once, the patient laid in a reclining position, free access of air allowed, cold water dashed upon the chest and face, and, if necessary, artificial respiration made, sinapisms placed on the feet, and galvanism used. - Many instruments have been devised for inhalation, but, as often happens, the simplest means is usually the best. The most advisable plan for administering is to fold a coarse towel into the form of a small cone, and place in the bottom a small sponge containing the liquid. At the commencement the sponge should be held at a small distance from the mouth, and the patient be directed to inhale by deep and long-continued inspirations, notwithstanding the cough. As he gets more and more under the influence, it should be approached to the face, but it is imperatively necessary that there should be a free admission of atmospheric air. Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the pulse. It is now generally conceded that chloroform is much more dangerous to life than ether.

Ether should therefore be employed in preference, unless special circumstances make it imperative to select chloroform as the anaesthetic agent. If chloroform be used, it should be remembered that its vapor is heavier than the air, and consequently sinks; care should also be taken to guard the skin from its irritating properties by smearing slightly with oil or glycerine. If ether be used, care should be taken not to have any lighted candles or gas jets in the neighborhood of the patient, as the vapor of ether is exceedingly inflammable, and very serious consequences might result from its accidentally taking fire. The ratio of power of ether and chloroform is considered as about 8 to 1 in favor of the latter, this producing its effect in from 30 to 60 seconds, the former on an average in from 3 to 4 minutes. The dose of chloroform is from 30 drops to 1 oz.; that of ether is of almost any quantity, as much as two quarts having been employed in some long-continued and severe operations.