Ether is almost a unique anesthetic agent, because it may be given to traumatized patients without any additional oxygen supply. But the significantly high stage of excitement during ether anesthesia can be dangerous, especially in disaster situations.

In the Netherlands, Crul developed a training program for application of ether anesthesia combined with droperidol as adjuvant. Incited by Crul's clinical training method, we studied, in comparison with Guedel's Table, the behavior of clinical signs during induction of ether anesthesia, using droperidol, diazepam or ketamine as adjuvants. We controlled especially the duration of induction, as well as the intensity of clinical signs in the stage of excitement.