Paralysis of Ocular Muscles following Spinal Anaesthesia.

AT a large military hospital in England, between January and July, 1927, I examined five cases of paralysis of one or other of the recti muscles, of the eye following on the use of stovaine as a spinal anaesthetic. Although stovaine has been extensively used as a spinal anaesthetic in this hospital since 1915 there is no record of any case of paralysis of ocular muscles following its use, with the exception of these five cases which occurred early in 1927. Until this date the stovaine used was obtained from one firm, and, after the occurrence of the cases, analysis of the supply by this firm revealed nothing deleterious. Since July,, 1927, the stovaine has been obtained from another firm and up to July, 1931, no further ocular complications have arisen. No important alteration in the method of administration or in the dosage employed has been made during the 16 years under review. The following are short notes of the individual cases: