SINCE THE GENERAL ACCEPTANCE of halothane, several authors have speculated about the possibility of reintroducing chloroform as a clinical agent, becaus~the "chemical and physical properties of these two are akin. It was felt that any Inew clinical studies of chloroform must be done with the same care ~nd attentiqn to-detail as have been found necessary with halothane since the physiologicalland pathological effects on vital organs appear to be similar. This report deals with the effect of chloroform on circulatory dynamics and post-anaesthetic morbidity when it was used clini~cally in a precision system. MATERIALS AND ~/IETI-[ODS Data were collected from 154 patients who underwent major operations. Anaesthetic management was the same as described'in the previous report ~1). Circulatory dynamics were observed closely in each operation. Pulse rate and arterial blood pressure were recorded at 5 rain. intervals by palpation and auscultation respectively (2). The electrocardiogram (lead 2) was monitor,~d in those patients with evidence of heart disease. The mean blood pressures and 3u-'flq~ rates during maintenance we~'e obtained by averaging the individual rea~ ings, starting 10 rain. after induction of anaesthesia, and ending when chloroform administration was discontinued at the end of the operation. The recontings noted during the 10 rain. period immediately following induction of anaestaesia were tabulated separately, as were the pre-induction recordings, and thorn at , I the end of the operation. Stroke volume and cardlac output were estimated from recordings of the vital signs (3). Post-anaesthetic morbidity and mortality were recorded and reviewed inleach case. RESULTS Circulatory Dynamics Analyses of, the variation in blood pressure, / pulse rate, estimated Stroke volume, and cardiac output are shown in Table I. Figure 1 shows the jmea~a variation and standard deviation for two groups of patients who underwent 1Read at the Second World Congress of AnesthesiologiSts,

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