Supposing, therefore, that the ill effects of these agents were more certain and greater in amount than has yet appeared, it would still be a question whether the evil they really prevent is not greater than that which they possibly _may_ cause. In regard to the two agents now chiefly used, _ether and chloroform_, there is no difference in their mode of action, but the chloroform appears to be more speedy, certain, and efficacious, and is, therefore, the most valuable, but proportionably more dangerous when improperly administered. There are numerous instruments or _inhalers_, for administering these vapors, most of which are both costly and complicated, and all of which may be easily dispensed with. A very good plan is to take a large sponge and dip it in hot water, then squeeze out the water and pour on the ether or chloroform, and hold it over the mouth and nose. In two or three minutes consciousness and feeling will both be gone, and the patient will sink into a calm sleep which will last sometimes ten or fifteen minutes, and may be kept up as long as desired, by putting the sponge to the mouth for a few minutes whenever there are signs of waking. When it is left off the patient gradually comes round as if waking from ordinary sleep, and frequently speaks of having been in a dream, sometimes of a very pleasant character, but never knows what has taken place. No ill effects follow, but sometimes there is a little drowsiness or stiffness of the limbs, which soon passes off. A pocket handkerchief soaked in the fluid, and held over the mouth and nose will answer equally well; but whatever is used, _it must not be pressed close_, because a portion of air ought to enter with the vapor to prevent suffocation; and it should also be removed immediately the effect is produced. When it is borne in mind how much these requisites have been neglected, and how _impure_ the ether or chloroform has often been, it is wonderful that more accidents have not occurred; and the fact that so few have happened under such a state of things, and with our little experience, goes far to prove that there is little or no danger at all in competent hands, with pure materials. The accounts circulated in the papers of "_death from ether_," and "_fatal effects of chloroform_," have mostly been gross exaggerations, and frequently false altogether. In most of the cases where death has _followed_ from the use of these agents, it has been proved to arise from other causes, and would have happened if they had not been used. In one or two cases, however, of surgical operations, the ether itself appears to have caused death by producing suffocation, or congestion of the lungs; but, even in these, it has been shown that it was used in an improper manner. Thus a young woman in Newcastle in England, inhaled ether to have a diseased toe-nail cut off, and died. It appears, however, that there was an evident disposition in her to