As early as 1848, Heyfelder used ethyl chlorid as a general anesthetic, and in 1880, the British Medical Association, after experimenting with the drug, condemned its use as being too dangerous, producing convulsions and arresting respiration. About 1895-6 it was again brought to the front by Carlson and Thursing, and was soon used extensively in dental work.
Seitz of Konstanz, in 1892, reported 16,000 cases, with but one death, and that in a very unfavorable subject. With the exception of nitrous-oxide gas, he considers it the safest of all anesthetics. Opisthotonos was observed in three cases, all three, however, were addicted to the use of alcohol.
Burnett1 considered ethyl chlorid an ideal anesthetic. He used it in a concentrated form, and found it caused more relaxation than bromid of ethyl, though not so much as chloroform. McLennan2 places it on a par with laughing as for safety. The