smodic, and especially for its diminution of
endobronchial secretions. True, it does not diminish pus, but by
diminishing the outpouring of normal secretions that dilute the pus
the total quantity of fluid encountered is less than it otherwise
would be. In cases of large quantities of pus, as in pulmonary abscess
and bronchiectasis, however, no diminution is noticeable. No food or
water is allowed for 5 hours prior to any endoscopic procedure,
whether sedatives or anesthetics are to be given or not. If the
stomach is not empty vomiting from contact of the tube in the pharynx
will interfere with work.

With _adults_ no anesthesia, general or local, is given for
esophagoscopy. For laryngeal operation and bronchoscopy the following
technic is used:

One hour before operation the patient is given hypodermatically a full
physiologic dose of morphin sulphate (from 1/4, to 3/8 gr.) guarded
with atropin sulphate (gr. 1/150). Care must be taken that the
injection be not given into a vein. On the operating table the
epiglottis and pharynx are painted with 10 per cent solution of
cocain. Two applications are usually sufficient completely to
anesthetize the exterior and interior of the larynx by blocking of the
superior laryngeal nerve without any endolaryngeal applications. The
laryngoscope is now introduced and if found necessary a 20 per cent
cocain solution is applied to the interior of the larynx and
subglottic region, by means of gauze swabs fastened to the sponge
carriers. Here also two applications are quite sufficient to produce
complete anesthesia in the larynx. If bronchoscopy is to be done the
gauze swab is carried down through the exposed glottis to the carina,
thus anesthetizing the tracheal mucosa. If further anesthetization of
the bronchial mucosa is required, cocain may be applied in the same
manner through the bronchoscope. In all these local applications
prolonged contact of the swab is much more efficient than simply
painting the surface.

[67] In cases in which cocain is deemed contraindicated morphin alone
is used. If given in sufficient dosage cocain can be altogether
dispensed with in any case.

It is perhaps _safer for the beginner_ in his early cases of
esophagoscopy to have the patient relaxed by an ether anesthesia,
provided the patient is not dyspneic to begin with, or made so by
faulty position or by pressure of the esophagoscopic tube mouth on the
tracheoesophageal "party wall." As proficiency d