DISEASE TRANSMISSION BY INEFFICIENTLY SANITIZED ANESTHETIZING APPARATUS

Abstract

From observing the construction of an anesthetizing apparatus one would conclude that the soda lime tower is adequate for the removal of bacteria-laden droplets from the patient under treatment. Such is not the case, however, as was indicated in the study of the source of several cases of follicular tonsillitis in patients administered an anesthetic for surgical purposes; the anesthetizing apparatus was the disseminating agent. In addition to the dissipation of disease, the administration of anesthetics will contribute to the invasiveness and production of disease by microorganisms. Dubin¹ found it easier to produce influenza virus pneumonia in anesthetized ferrets and mice than in similar animals that had not been anesthetized with ether. Andrews, Laidlaw, and Smith² noted that of six mice inoculated intranasally with human influenza virus without previous anesthetization only two showed gross pulmonary lesions while eight inoculated with the same suspension after ether anesthetization all showed