_Case 38._ A death from chloroform occurred in the Hôpital St. Antoine, at Paris, in the spring of 1854. The subject of this was a woman aged forty, on whom M. Richard was operating for the removal of a uterine polypus. The surgeon placed the patient in the horizontal posture, and administered the chloroform on a compress of lint. She became insensible in two minutes, having first been excited so that it was necessary to hold her. M. Richard moved the patient to the edge of the bed, gave the compress containing the chloroform into the hands of an assistant, and commenced the operation, which was likely to be of short duration. He had almost completed it, when he was apprised by an assistant, who had been set to feel the pulse, that it had ceased to beat. He sought for it himself, but found that it did not beat. The face was extremely pale; a slow respiration still continued, but soon ceased; and the measures which were used with the hope of restoring the patient were of no avail.[109] At the examination of the body all the organs were found in a healthy state. The right cavities of the heart and the great veins contained a considerable quantity of blood, and the left cavities of the heart a small quantity. The blood was everywhere fluid.[110] _Case 39._ A patient, named Mrs. Harrup, died at Sheffield from the effects of chloroform administered with the intention of removing a cancerous tumour of the left breast. The age of the patient was forty-five, and she was stated to be in good health, excepting the local affection. “The chloroform was administered with more than the usual precautions. After the inhalation had gone on without any effect for twenty minutes, it was thought that possibly different chloroform might succeed, and one ounce was accordingly procured from the public dispensary. After the inhalation had been conducted with the fresh chloroform about twenty minutes, the usual effects of the vapour began to manifest themselves. The pulse, which was 136 before any chloroform had been given, and had been very gradually decreasing in frequency while it improved in strength, was now about 104. At this moment muttering—half articulate delirium—came on, but ceased in a few moments, and was immediately followed by conclusive signs of the satisfactory action of the chloroform. Dr. Law now desired Mr. Wright to begin the operation; but before he could do so, Dr. Law, seeing an alarming change in the countenance of the deceased, cried, ‘Stop, Mr. Lewis, how is the pulse?’ I replied, ‘It is gone.’” After stating the means which were used with a view to resuscitate the patient, it is added that the heart had ceased to beat, and that, after a few short and laboured inspirations, life became extinct.