A REMARKABLE OPERATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2722, 29 January 1910, Page 5

A REMARKABLE OPERATION.

STOVAINE INTRODUCED INTO NEW: ZEALAND. rPKU Phf.bs Association.! AUCKLAND, Jan. 28. An operation of a highly interesting nature was performed at the Northern Wairoa Hospital on Monday under (so far as is known) the first Application in New Zealand of the new anaesthetic ‘'stovaine.” The patient, says the “Wairoa Bell,” was deemed an improper subject for chloroform. Dr. March, esini informed him of this, and explained fully the operation and effects of stovaine, and he agreed to undergo the treatment. The stovaine was injected, and in five minutes the sufferer was ready to be operated upon. The operation which lasted one hour, was highly successful. The patient retained full consciousness all the time, but was absolutely free from pain all the time. In an interview a few hours after the operation, he said he felt nothing during the operation, and in fact believed he could have walked off the table into bed had he been allowed. Though' stovaine is new to New Zealand, Dr. Marchesini has used it as long ago as 1905. Last year, in Rome, lie used it frequently. The application is effected with a needle enclosed in a fine tube five inches long.' This is thrust into the spinal column with hardlv any pain. The needle is then withdrawn and the stovaine injected through the tube with a syringe. It acts on the nerves, and completely deprives all the parts of sensation, the patient remaining fully conscious. It is much safer than chloroform, and can be used in cases where the latter is impossible owing to weakness of the heart, as stovaine is absolutely safe. One doctor can administer it, as well; as perform the operation. The effects last for two or three hours, and leave no sickly feeling behind them. USED IN NAPIER HOSPITAL FOR A twelve-month. NAPIER, Jan. 28. The new anaesthetic, stovaine, has been used in the Napier Hospital for about twelve months, and in over sixty cases. '