“Should it be necessary to control the descent of the presenting part, light anesthesia may be given. This may be managed by putting about two drams of ether in the cone at intervals frequent enough to sufficiently retard the descent of the presenting part. This procedure almost obliterates contractions. Lift the cone from the face for a few moments at frequent intervals to admit air. Keep the ether vapor of such concentration as avoids choking, coughing or vomiting. This may be done by administering a small amount frequently, rather than a large amount at longer intervals. When the desired stage is reached, try to keep the patient at this degree of anesthesia by giving a few drams of anesthetic at regular intervals.” =Nitrous Oxid Gas Analgesia.= The effect of this drug is termed analgesia rather than anesthesia, because the patient does not lose consciousness but is unconscious of pain. From a medical standpoint it is considered practically ideal for use in obstetrics. If given skillfully it seems to have no bad effects upon the child; it tends to stimulate, rather than diminish uterine contractions; it may be started, with safety; as soon as the patient begins to suffer severely, and continued for several hours if necessary. Its disadvantages are that it is very expensive; it can be given safely only by a skillful, trained person; the apparatus necessary for its administration is expensive, heavy and difficult to transport. But when these difficulties can be overcome, its use is attended with very satisfactory results. “=Twilight Sleep=,” so called, or _Dämmerschlaf_, as it is termed in Germany, has been and still is discussed so widely, that the nurse should know something of it, whether or not she aids in its administration. It may be described as a state of amnesia, or forgetfulness, produced by the hypodermic injection of morphin and scopolamin. The patient, therefore, is conscious of pain at the time but speedily forgets it. This treatment was first used widely in Freiburg. Following an enthusiastic report from there upon a large number of cases in which it had been used, there was such a clamor for it by American women, that its temporary use was practically forced upon obstetricians in this country. It was given what appears to have been a fair trial, but its continued use in this country has not been widespread. Those obstetricians who object to its use describe its disadvantages as follows: It cannot be used outside of a well-conducted hospital; it requires the constant attendance of a well-trained obstetrician or obstetrical nurse throughout the entire course of labor; it is suitable for use in certain selected normal cases only; it prolongs the second stage and increases the percentage of cases in which operative interference is necessary; it has an asphyxiating effect upon the child and increases the percentage of fetal deaths.