Surgical experience of chloroform / By James Miller.

  • Miller, James, 1812-1864.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Surgical experience of chloroform / By James Miller. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    by far the best anassthetic agent as yet known; that in almost all cases of surgical operation it may be given, as an anaes¬ thetic, when given well, with perfect success and with perfect safety; that the knowledge of its use, in this way, is a boon to both the profession and the public of incalculable benefit; and that, in the words of Sedillot, its marvellous power of suspending pain transcends all that the imagination had ever conceived of the charms and enchantments of a bygone age.” As a surgical Anaesthetic, Chloroform has now spread itself over Europe, America, Australia—and even over the greater part of London. I do not propose to follow it through that wide and varied range. Nor shall I attempt to overtake now all the points of its relation to Surgery. I shall content my¬ self with stating to you what occur to me as the chief points of its connexion with our art; with a reference to those cir¬ cumstances in which I have myself been convinced of its great value, and which have forced me into the favourable opinion which 1 have just expressed. And to this circum¬ scribed task I proceed with much pleasure, for two reasons. First, because I conceive it to be my duty, as occupant of the Surgical Chair in this University, to give forth an early and no uncertain sound on this subject of largest importance ; and, secondly, because, honestly convinced as I am in favour of the agent and of ansesthesia, it fills me with indignation to find that there are in some quarters attempts being made to prejudice the profession, and especially the public, against both, and to make it appear as if chloroform, having already run its short day’s course, had been quietly gathered to the tomb of all ephemeral innovations. Many of those who la¬ bour in this ungracious task, I believe, possess at least one good reason, if not any excuse, for their conduct; namely, absolute and profound ignorance of the subject. Others either have but imperfectly informed themselves, or have their minds so warped by prejudice, as to be incapable of forming a fair impartial opinion on the matter. But the exist¬ ence of themselves and their opinions need cause no wonder. Ihe same opposition has always met great advances of truth ; yet they have not retarded such onward movement long, if at