Ethyl Chloride

ETHYL CHLORIDE, Aethylium chloratum, s. Aether chloratus (Ph. VII), chloroethane, C₂H₅Cl, is a colorless, transparent, highly volatile, flammable liquid with a characteristic odor; specific gravity 0.921; boiling point 12–12.5°; poorly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol and ether in all proportions. It is obtained by heating hydrogen chloride with ethyl alcohol under pressure. For medical purposes, it is supplied in sealed glass ampoules with a valve (to be stored in a dark place at a temperature below 12°). Upon removal of the cap at room temperature (especially if the ampoule is warmed by the hand holding it), the liquid is ejected in a fine jet from the glass capillary of the ampoule and rapidly evaporates. Ethyl chloride belongs to the group of fatty-series narcotic substances and is used: 1) for inhalational anesthesia during short-term (lasting up to 10 minutes) surgical interventions (tooth extraction, opening of an abscess, etc.), as well as in childbirth, etc. Due to the high volatility of ethyl chloride and its easy penetration through the pulmonary membrane, anesthesia sets in very quickly (in 2–3 minutes) and passes off quickly as well, making it possible to use it in outpatient practice. Maintaining a longer, evenly deep anesthesia is difficult: muscular rigidity develops and the danger of respiratory paralysis arises, which is why ethyl chloride is not used for prolonged anesthesia. Respiratory arrest due to an overdose of the substance is easily eliminated by stopping the administration of its vapors and performing artificial respiration. 2) For local anesthesia of superficial tissues (when opening a phlegmon, etc.). Anesthesia is achieved by cooling the tissues through the evaporation of ethyl chloride. Complete tissue freezing is not required, since their sensitivity is lost already upon cooling to 4°. On general anesthesia, see also Anesthesia, general.