ON THE EFFECTS OF ACETALDEHYDE, ETHER PEROXIDE, ETHYL MERCAPTAN, ETHYL SULPHIDE, AND SEVERAL KETONES—DI-METHYL, ETHYL METHYL AND DI-ETHYL—WHEN ADDED TO ANAESTHETIC ETHER

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology, McGill University, Montreal

The actions of certain compounds when mixed with anaesthetic ether on blood pressure and respiration may be summarized as follows: Acetaldehyde up to 0.5 per cent does not produce any significant changes. With 1 per cent there is marked respiratory embarrassment and consequent and concomitant effects on blood pressure; however, the animals recover well.

One half of 1 per cent of ether peroxide causes a decided lowering of the blood pressure and pronounced respiratory disturbance. Three-tenths of a per cent even after prolonged administration does not noticeably affect the animal.

Ethyl mercaptan although a very foul material does not have much influence when present up to 1 per cent.

Ethyl sulphide in 1 per cent concentration produces an extremely severe gastro-enteritis. With three-tenths of a per cent or less, no such effect is caused and the blood pressure and respiration are not altered.

Di-ethyl ketone, ethyl methyl ketone and acetone are apparently indifferent in concentrations up to 5 per cent.