Stovaine is a local anesthetic that was used in the early 1900s. The spelling of this word is based on the pronunciation of the two syllables that make up the word. The first syllable is pronounced /stoʊ/, which rhymes with "go" and "low." The second syllable is pronounced /veɪn/, which sounds like "vane." Therefore, stovaine is spelled with a "v" instead of a "f" because the second syllable begins with a voiced sound rather than a voiceless sound.
Stovaine is a noun that refers to a synthetic local anesthetic drug mainly used for spinal anesthesia. The term originates from the combination of the words "stove" and "cocaine," as it was developed as a substitute for cocaine in the early 20th century.
Stovaine belongs to the group of drugs known as amino-ester local anesthetics, and it was widely used in medical practice during the mid-1900s. Its primary function is to induce numbing and loss of sensation in specific areas of the body by blocking nerve impulses.
The drug is administered via injection, typically into the spinal canal, and it acts by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals between nerves and the brain. Stovaine acts relatively quickly, with the effects being felt within a few minutes after administration, and its duration of action can vary depending on the individual and the specific procedure for which it is used.
However, in modern medical practice, stovaine has been largely replaced by other local anesthetic agents, such as lidocaine and bupivacaine, due to various reasons like improved safety profile, reduced risk of adverse reactions, and longer-lasting effects. Nonetheless, stovaine remains an important drug from a historical perspective, as its development paved the way for further advancements in the field of anesthesia.
A local anesthetic, used especially to induce intraspinal anesthesia, in injections of gr. 1/4-3/4 (0.015-0.045); chemically it is benzoyl-ethyldimethyl-aminopropanol hydrochloride.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "stovaine" is derived from the chemical compound "procaine". The term "procaine" was coined in 1904 and comes from a combination of the words "pro-" (meaning before or for) and "-caine" (referring to the chemical substance). "Stovaine" is a specific brand name for procaine, which was introduced by Merck in the early 1900s.