Latest Triumph of Science.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 192, 18 August 1904, Page 4

Latest Triumph of Science.

A NEW ANAESTHETIC AM) its wonders. Tie recent discovery of Eucaine, a poiraful local anaesthetic, is looked "i'on as another scientific triumph. H will make possible operations which might not otherwise take place'owing t„ he a rt weakness, 'for tile patient remains conscious during 'ts use, although, of course, those parts of the foody to which it is apP led ore insensible to pain. It will also give the surgeon more time for his work, and do away with certain people's conscientious objections to anaesthetics.

Although it can he used for umputulions it will probably ],e most useful for treatment of the thyroid glands. In such operations the use of chloroform is ofton impracticable. A successful operation of t'lis kind which was recently performed with eucaine in a London hospital lasted nearly an hour wnd & half. Eucaine is injected by a hypotler. rnic needle under the skin at tho place where the incision is to be made. After „ few moments the skih m a y be cut without the patient, feeling anything. As -different and deeper parts are exposed the drug is dropped at intervals of a few minutes. To the observer the operation appears similar to those of the days before chloroform, a s the patient'is conscious, and now and again makes some -remark. The eyes arc covered with cloth to minimise nervousness and the patient is strapped . to tho operating table, to prevent involuntary movements. He is conscious, but lie cannot feel.