There are four rules which it is safe to follow in the administration of Chloroform; not to go on when there is stertorous breathing; not to administer it when there exists any serious disease of the heart or lungs; not to undertake under its influence an extensive operation on the mouth or jaws; and so to arrange the process as that the vapour shall be freely diluted with air. If the third rule be neglected, the blood may flow into the windpipe and cause suffocation, for the patient is deprived of the power of swallowing. The dilution with air is necessary, not only to moderate the action of the remedy, but that the necessary vital function of respiration may not be interfered with. It is also well known that it is convenient to administer Chloroform on an empty stomach, or it will be likely to produce vomiting. Though Chloroform rarely fails to annihilate pain, and thus greatly to diminish the terror of the patient, it will not prevent him from sometimes dying of the shock of a serious operation. An extensive injury to the body will suffice to produce a prejudicial effect upon the heart and nervous system, which is independent of the feeling of pain, and may occur without moral suffering. Chloroform is employed by some to relieve the pain of parturition. It is not found to interrupt the action of the uterus. But, with this exception, it is a general muscular relaxer and paralyzer, and may thus be inhaled before an attempt to reduce an old dislocation, or to restore a hernia of long standing. It is more efficient in such cases than either Opium or Tartar Emetic, and produces less distress than the latter. For the same operation it is sometimes employed in spasmodic disorders. It has even been known to arrest the paroxysm of that most incurable of all disorders, Tetanus. I have known it to do great service both in Epilepsy and in Hysteria, when ordered to be inhaled regularly twice a day. It has been highly recommended by some who have tried it in Delirium tremens. (_Vide_ p. 237.) OPIUM. Class II. Div. II. Ord. II. NARCOTICA SOMNIFERA. Class IV. Ord. V. DIAPHORETICA.