THE PRESENT STATUS OF LOCAL ANÆSTHESIA
Abstract
as its successor made its appearance above the horizon. The fact is also patent that only after the introduction of some new inhalation anaesthetic have the shortcomings of its predecessor been thoroughly and distinctively demonstrated. Not infrequently it will be found that it has been the proponents of a method who have presented the belated statistical evidence. No comprehensive discussion of local anaesthesia can ensue without referring to general anaesthesia, and, in discussing their relative merits, it is well to remember that the practical use of general anaesthesia preceded that of local anaesthesia approximately forty years, and that in a comparison of the methods this factor must be taken into account, as the lapse of time is an important element in improving the mode of application of any form of anaesthesia. There are many points which must be considered in comparing the two main forms of anaesthesia. Regarding general anaesthesiaânotwithstanding what drug or combination of drugs is usedâthe supervision of the method of administration assumes a role of the greatest importance, and it is an indisputable fact that the elimination of this factor greatly modifies any evaluation of the merits of the method. It is no fairer to