Chloroformum
Clarke - Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · John Henry Clarke · 2,886 chars · source ↗
General
Chloroformum.
CHCl3. Solution.
Clinical
Arachnitis. Convulsions. Delirium tremens. Gall-stones. Muscae volitantes. Paralysis of sphincter vesicae. Puerperal convulsions. Sick headache. Smell, lost. Taste, lost. Tetanus. Typhus. Vertigo.
Characteristics
Chloroform is the well-known anesthetic, the general effects of which in arresting sensation need no description. Unlike Ether and Nitrous oxide, which require to be administered without air, chloroform vapour must have abundance of air inhaled with it, or asphyxia results. Its most noteworthy effect is complete relaxation of all the voluntary muscles of the body. It may cause death by paralysing the respiration or the heart.
Its use is contraindicated where there is brain softening; fatty heart; alcoholism; or albuminuria. Marcy cured with it a case of arachnitis ending in convulsions. It is especially indicated in delirium where excitement and violence predominate; desire to kill. Paralysis of voluntary and involuntary muscles and special senses.
Chloroform will dissolve gall-stones, and cases have been treated by the injection of Chloroform into the gall-bladder.
Relations
Compare: Chloralum. Antidoted by: Amyl. nit., Ipec., Brandy; Ice in rectum. It antidotes: Strychnine.
Mind
Wild excitement, followed by complete insensibility
Sang comic songs; could scarcely be persuaded to leave the piano
Obscene language used under its influence, in two provers
Desire to kill.
Head
Vertigo, rising from spine into occiput
Whirling in head as if he would fall forward
As if ground waving on closing eyes
Head drawn down on shoulders
Severe bursting headache in forehead
Headache with dizziness; with roaring in ears; with excessive nausea and vomiting.
Eyes
Conjunctiva insensible
Pupils dilated, insensible to light
Eyes turned up
Sight gradually went out and returned gradually
Dark points and bright streaks
Small black points float before eyes
Large black spots; grey spots; float a few inches before the eye; follow the motion of the eye
Bright and dark points; sparks; flashes of light.
Ears
Roaring in ears, like boiling water.
Nose
Complete loss of smell (lasted two months).
Face
Face as if intoxicated; flushed; livid.
Mouth
Teeth smooth, as after acids (fourth day)
Soapy taste
Taste lost.
Throat
Burning in throat; scraping.—Violent scraping and coldness in fauces on inspiration.
Stomach
Eructations
Burning in stomach; alternating with chilliness
Nervous hiccough
Nausea and vomiting, sea-sickness, or morning sickness, much acidity and great distension of stomach and bowels with gas; abdomen tense; rumbling.
Urinary Organs
Paralysis of sphincter of bladder (after parturition).
Respiratory Organs
Stertorous breathing.
Heart
Constantly increasing retardation and weakening of action of heart and arteries.