SIMPSON, J.Y. - ANNOUNCING THE ANAESTHETIC EFFECTS OF CHLOROFORM.

A new anaesthetic Agent, more efficient than Sulphuric Ether.

London, The Lancet, 1847.

4to. Recent blank wrappers. In: "The Lancet. 1847. Volume II." (Edinburgh, November 1847). Pp. 549-550. With titlepage to Volume II.

First appearance of one of the earliest announcements of Simpson's discovery of the anaesthetic effect of chloroform.
"In an attempt to find an anaesthetic less irritating than ether, Simpson discovered the advantages of chloroform. He had previousy used ether with great benefit in midwifery, but now substituted chloroform, being the first to do so."(G&M Nr. 5657. Here is also listed the appearance in "Lond. med. Gaz.", but this is from Nov. 20, the offered paper from "The Lancet" is from Nov. 20).

"When did J.Y. Simpson publish his discovery of the anesthetic propertie of chloroform ? certain frequently consulted sources cite an article that appeared in an issue of "Lancet", dated Nov. 20, 1847 (the item offered) and an article that appeared in an issue of the "London Medical Gazette", dated Nov. 26, 1847. Other Sources..point to a pamphlet published in Edinburgh on Nov., 1847. An a few sources mention an earlier version of that papmhlet as having been published in Edinburgh on Nov. 12, 1847."(Paul F. Cranefield).

Norman 1945 describes the earlier pamphlets as the true first. - Parkinson "Breakthroughs" 1847 H.

Together with Simpson's paper we offer WILLIAM T.GREEN MORTON'S PAPER "Letter from Dr. Morton, of Boston, U.S. To the Editor of The Lancet. Pp. 80-81, 1847 in The Lancet volume II. Here he disclosed his method of producing anaesthesia by the inhalation of ether invented 1846.

Order-nr.: 45794