OBSERVATIONS ON THE USE OF EUCAINE B. AND ADRENALIN AS A MEANS OF
INDUCING LOCAL ANÆSTHESIA. GEORGE L. CHIENE. (_The Scot. Med. and
Surg. Journ._, September, 1904, p. 215.)
In this communication the writer makes some interesting and instructive
observations on the value of combining adrenalin with encaine or cocaine
as a local anæsthetic for minor operations. Satisfactory results were
obtained by employing a mixture of a 2 per cent. solution of eucaine B.
and 1-5000 adrenalin chloride, thirty minims of the solution being
injected. The chief drawback to the method was the fact that adrenalin
solutions did not keep well, and readily became inert and contaminated.
This difficulty has now been obviated to a large extent by the
introduction by Messrs. Burroughs Wellcome and Co. of a new preparation
of the supra-renal gland called “Soloid Hemisine,” which is said to
represent the hæmostatic principle of the supra-renal gland in a more
stable form. The writer has had compound soloids prepared by the same
firm which when dissolved in 10 c.c. give a solution of 1 per cent.
eucaine B. and 5 minim. of adrenalin (1-1000.) By injecting this a
carbuncle the size of the palm of the hand was excised without pain or
discomfort, and at a later date the surface was skin-grafted, the same
anæsthetic being used. The writer believes that the addition of the
adrenalin not only increases the efficiency but also the safety of the
eucaine or cocaine as local anæsthetics.