Spinal Anesthesia [Subarachnoid Radicular Conduction Block]: Principles and Technique.

The author has attempted to bring the present knowledge of spinal anesthesia into a concise form and to standardize a satisfactory technic. If correctly induced and the patient properly selected, spinal anesthesia is usually ideal for most operations below the umbilicus and in certain instances in the upper part of the abdomen. Indications and details are given in this book, including methods of limiting the anesthesia to the lower part of the abdomen or the lower extremities. Various drugs are discussed, including those of lighter specific gravity than the spinal fluid, but the author objects to their use because of the necessity of a measured Trendelenburg position. He advises the use of one of the pure procaine preparations which are put up in ampules. The routine intramuscular injection of epinephrine solution is used in preference to ephedrine for maintaining a normal blood pressure. However, some other surgeons with equal experience