Etherum
Clarke - Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · John Henry Clarke · 2,509 chars · source ↗
General
Etherum.
Ethyl oxide. Ethylic Ether, sometimes called Sulphuric Ether. (C2H5)2O (Alcohol is C2 H6O).
Clinical
Bronchitis. Catalepsy. Convulsions.
Cough
Delirium tremens.
Hiccough.
Mania.
Meningitis.
Nausea.
Vomiting.
Characteristics
Ether is the well-known anaesthetic, and the effects are those observed in patients under the action of its vapour, administered for the purpose of operation, in habitual ether drinkers (of whom there are numbers in Ireland), and on some who have voluntarily experimented with the drug upon themselves. Closely allied to alcohol, it possesses very similar intoxicating properties, produces visions frequently pleasurable, hallucination, and, in some instances, a persistent maniacal condition.
Convulsions, spasms, and a cataleptic state have also been observed. Bronchitis is a not uncommon after-result of ether anaesthesia, and for this Belladonna has been observed to be the best antidote. Chilliness is complained of by many. Macfarlan reports the cure of a woman of 60, who had been confined to bed for weeks with severe neuralgia of the head, raised welts on scalp like ridges accompanying the pain.
Ether 200 cured quickly.
Mind
Exhilaration; furious excitement; flushed face
Pleasant dreams of rapid flight through the air, gorgeous visions and unearthly music
Frightful dreams; fancied he heard the ringing of his own funeral bell
Low-spirited, fearful of some disease, desponding (lasting some months)
Complete loss of consciousness.
Head
Muzziness; dizziness; headache with partial blindness follow ether anaesthesia
Meningitis
Temporal arteries enlarged; beat violently
Head drops to one side or is thrown back
Severe neuralgia of head with raised welts on scalp.
Eyes
Eyes suffused; lids closed; conjunctivae injected
Pupils dilated
Dim vision as if mist or thin cloud before eyes.
Ears
Sounds indistinct; seem far off, yet resound violently in the ears.
Face
Face flushed.
Mouth
Mouth often open
Salivation; slight frothing at mouth
Pronunciation difficult and indistinct.
Stomach
Hiccough persistent
Nausea
Vomiting.
Respiratory Organs
Violent cough from stinging or heat in bronchia
Expectoration of blood
Breathing quickened; stertorous
Congestion of lungs and brain
Extreme coldness of the chest, wants it covered
Tightness; irritation and pain.
Heart
Excitement and invigoration of heart's action.—Pulse full and bounding.
Lower Limbs
Paralysis of lower extremities.