&NA;WRITERS ON SPINAL ANESTHESIA have very generally stressed its lack of effect on the vital organs of the body. Its lack of effect upon the lungs is one of the reasons why they have advocated its use in preference to that of ether, especially when pulmonary complications might be anticipated. This reasoning seems logical because ether is irritant to the respiratory tract, tends to increase the secretions and, in any considerable depth, at least, abolishes the reflexes which guard the glottis.