The administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen for dental operations / by Frederick W. Hewitt.

  • Hewitt, Frederic W. (Frederic William), Sir, 1857-1916.
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen for dental operations / by Frederick W. Hewitt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    sleep-like state in which the colour of the features is absolutely unaltered or is even heightened, and the breathing is so tranquil that it is inaudible, we shall not only be liable to meet with excitement, but the ansestliesia will, at all events in many cases, be less pro- found than is desirable Moreover, it is not an easy matter, when the breathing is inaudible, to estimate the depth of anaesthesia. We should therefore, I think, endeavour to bring about an ancesthesia characterised by softly snoring breathing, a good pulse, a colour as near the normal as possible, an insensitive ocular conjunctiva, relaxed eyelids, a fixed condition of the globes, and the absence of muscular rigidity in the extremities. Sometimes, and especially after a pheise of rapid breathing, or when a good deal of oxygen has been given, the respiration may come almost or completely to a standstill without there being the slightest need for alarm. The apnoeic state is associated with a good pulse and colour, and will quickly pass off when the proportion of oxygen is reduced. The pulse is always as quick as, or quicker than, it was immediately before the adminis- tration. In most cases the initial accelera- tion from nervousness gradually increases to a maximum, and then declines somewhat, though it never falls below its initial acceleration rate.