The volume of the pulse diminishes during protracted narcosis. The volume may be expected to decrease about one-third in the course of an hour, and as much as one-half in a two hours’ anesthesia. If, in _a chloroform or anaesthol anesthesia_, the pulse gives the impression, to the palpating finger, of having lost more than one-half of its original volume, stimulation is indicated. If ether feeding through the Schimmelbusch mask, and one drachm of 25% camphor-ether hypodermatically do not improve the volume notably, an intravenous infusion of physiological saline at 98°-105° F. should be given without delay. _If the anesthesia has been conducted with ether instead_ of anaesthol or chloroform, camphor-ether stimulation is not in place; the resort is to strychnine stimulation instead—one twentieth of a grain of strychnine sulphate hypodermatically, which may be repeated in half an hour. If there is no prompt improvement in the condition of the pulse, the intravenous infusion should not be postponed. It must also be borne in mind that, not drugs, but infusion of fluid alone can make good any _great_ loss of blood. THE INFLUENCE OF MORPHINE ON NARCOSIS. [Sidenote: Morphine] During the course of any operation, the surgeon is responsible for a long chain of ingoing impulses, which travel along the sensory paths from the site of operation to the spinal cord and brain. Morphine diminishes the awakening effect of these impulses by benumbing the perceptive centers in the brain. The correct plane of anesthesia for a patient who has had morphine, for example, one quarter of a grain of morphine sulphate hypodermatically half an hour before narcosis, must appear very superficial as compared with a case to which morphine has not been administered. Not only is considerably less of the anesthetic required, but the lid, for instance, may be quite tonic without indicating that more of the anesthetic is necessary. These observations apply cardinally to anesthesias with chloroform, or chloroform combinations, such as anaesthol. GENERAL COURSE OF THE ANESTHESIA. [Sidenote: Tranquil Narcosis] The ideal narcosis is tranquil. It resembles a natural sleep. The breathing is unimpeded and easy. Any change in the character of the breathing sound, or the rhythm, demands attention. If, for the moment, the anesthetic has been given too hurriedly, a few breaths of air will restore the calm. If, on the other hand, signs of awakening are discovered—the lid becomes more tonic, the corneal reflex more active, a tear appears in the eye, the patient begins to sweat, saliva collects in the throat, the pulse becomes more rapid—a few drops of the anesthetic should be administered until the desired free and unembarrassed respiration returns. AWAKENING.