Ether. Chloroform.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| More diffusible. | Less diffusible; vapor
| | heavier.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Inflammable and explosive. | Not inflammable, but vapor
| | decomposes when exposed to a
| | light and causes irritation
| | and some times death.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Stimulant to heart, except | Depresses powerfully the
| in enormous quantities. | heart respiratory and
| | vaso-motor centers in large
| | doses.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Irritating (due to exclusion | Less irritating (on account
| of air), may induce | of more air being required
| bronchitis and nephritis. | for dilution.)
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Respiratory centers not | Three to five times more
| so easily or suddenly | dangerous (deaths) than
| depressed as by chloroform. | ether.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Larger quantities required. | Smaller quantities required.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Less rapid. | Acts quickly.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| More expensive. | Cheaper.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
| Kills by respiratory failure. | Death from respiratory
| | failure, combined with
| | cardiac depression.
+-------------------------------+-----------------------------
Consequently you can see considering both drugs to be properly
administered, all the advantages are in favor of chloroform except
safety.
Ether is to be preferred for dogs, cats and other small animals.
Chloroform is especially dangerous for dogs, though horses stand it
exceptionally well and it is preferable to ether in large animals. The
safety with which chloroform may be administered to large animals
frequently makes veterinarians careless; that is, they “force” the drug;
they do not allow sufficient air for dilution, and though the patients
may not die from the immediate effects of the drug their existence may
be terminated in a few days from pneumonia or broncho-pneumonia
(mechanical), due to the irritating effects of the drug.
ANAESTHESIA.--It is best to cast the large animals; after complete
anaesthesia remove the hobbles.
For dogs make a cone of a towel and paper, put a sponge in the bottom,
allowing a small opening in the end to admit air; pour in ether a little
at a time.
In brain diseases or tumors of the brain, chloroform is dangerous.
Horses with heaves or emphysema should not take chloroform; it is also
dangerous in fatty degeneration of the heart. Operations during
incomplete anaesthesia, especially with chloroform, are dangerous;
always produce complete anaesthesia, have the stomach empty, but don’t
fast animals for more than two or three meals.
_Things to remember when administering an anaesthetic:_
The operator must be skilled and give his attention exclusively to the
production of anaesthesia, watching the respiration and pulse for signs
of failure.
Do not commence operation until anaesthesia is profound, until reflex
action is abolished, which can be told by touching the eye with the
finger; obey this, no matter how slight the operation. The utmost care
should be exercised if the patient is very old or has fatty degeneration
of the heart, or lung diseases.
Great care should be exercised in operations about the mouth or trachea.
See that no blood passes down the trachea. The stomach and bowels should
be empty. This will cause less nausea and feed may be regurgitated and
run down the trachea.
When purchasing chloroform or ether for anaesthetic purposes insist on
the best; it must be pure.
Ether can be used almost pure, only a little air being necessarily
allowed for dilution; chloroform must have a large amount of air.
In all classes of patients the head should be slightly raised, and watch
the tongue so that it does not fall back over the larynx and suffocate
the animal.
Anaesthesia should be started very slowly; don’t force either chloroform
or ether.
It is a good practice to have restoratives ready for use before
commencing anaesthesia, as aqua ammonia fort., a hypodermic syringe and
nitro-glycerin.