NARCOTICS. - hypnotics (v.), these are substances that induce a far more profound sleep (Gr. ναριανικώς = inducing torpor), with a state of absolute clouding of consciousness, muscular relaxation, abolition of reflexes, and often considerable alterations in cerebral circulation. In medical practice, narcosis—also called general anesthesia—employs drugs that may be administered by inhalation (chloroform, ethyl ether, ethyl chloride, nitrous oxide, ethylene), rectally (avertin), or intravenously (sodium evipan, eunarcon, pentothal, narcovene, and other derivatives of malonylurea).
The necessity of narcosis is made evident by the practical impossibility of enduring the often atrocious pains connected with the laborious and lengthy manipulations characteristic of modern surgery, and by the need to avoid the uncontrollable instinctive movements of defense that might compromise the precision and safety of the operation and would prevent the complete relaxation of the muscular walls necessary for proper control of the operative field. Such practical necessity morally legitimizes the use anesthesia (v.).