Will Ether Be Superceded?

A new anaesthetic having many advantages over ether, chloroform or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), has been developed by Dr. A. B. Laukhardt and J. P. Carter, of the physiology department of the University of Chicago, from ethylene gas, one of the ingredients of coal gas. When purified it has absolutely no effect upon the heart action, say its sponsors. The danger of lung abscesses or pneumonia, attendant on the use of laughing gas, is minimized with the new formula. Patients can be revived immediately by administering oxygen.