cause of obstetrics we can accept, knowing full well
that, in competent hands, it can do little or no harm; and this we
know from the facts herewith recited and from the further fact that we
have gained a wide experience with this agent in the practice of both
dentistry and surgery. In a general way, the influence of "sunrise
slumber" on mother and child may be summarized as follows:

1. It can accomplish its purpose--can quite satisfactorily relieve the
mother of severe pain--when employed as an analgesic. It is not
necessary to administer the gas to the point of anesthesia except at
the height of suffering at the end of the second stage of labor, when
the head of the child is passing through the birth canal.

2. This method can be stopped at any moment--the patient ran be
brought out from under its influence entirely and almost
instantaneously. It is not like a hypodermic injection of a drug which
may exert a varying and unknown influence upon the patient, and which,
when once given, cannot be recalled.

3. It is a method which may be used in the patient's home just as
safely as in a hospital; the only drawback being the inconvenience of
transporting the gas-containing cylinders back and forth. This is even
now partially overcome by the improved combination gas and oxygen form
of apparatus which has been devised.

4. The administration of nitrous oxid analgesia or anesthesia does not
interfere with or lessen the uterine contractions or expulsive efforts
on the part of the mother--at least not to any appreciable extent.

5. Just as soon as a severe uterine contraction--attended by its
severe pain--begins to subside, the gas inhaler is immediately
removed, and in a few seconds the patient is again conscious. It is
not necessary to keep the patient continuously under the influence of
the drug, as in the case of the scopolamin-morphin method of "twilight
sleep."

6. This method ("sunrise slumber") is certainly far more safe in
ordinary and unskilled hands than the "twilight sleep" procedure. The
patient is more safe with this method in the hands of the average
doctor or trained nurse.

7. It has been our experience that nitrous oxid in the smaller,
interrupted and analgesic doses, actually tends to stimulate the
uterine pains and contractions, while at the same time rendering the
patient quite oblivious to their presence. When properly administered,
the freedom from pain is perfect.

8. Under the influence of "g