Both Uses of
anesthetic
in
Atlas Shrugged
- He had to stand on guard against his own feeling-as if some part of him had become a stranger that had to be kept numb, and his will had to be its constant, watchful anesthetic.†
Chpt 2.1 *
- And"-he went on speaking while Rearden was lifting him from the ground by imperceptible seconds and inches, speaking as if the trembling intensity of his words were serving as an anesthetic against the pain-"and men can't live …. if rotten bastards …. like the ones in Washington …. get away with things like …. like the one they're doing tonight …. if everything becomes a stinking fake …. and nothing is real …. and nobody is anybody …. men can't live that way …. that's an absolute,…†
Chpt 3.6
Definition:
-
(anesthetic) a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensationseditor's notes: An anesthetic causes anesthesia (a temporary loss of body sensation). It contrasts with an analgesic which relieves pain without eliminating sensation.
There are two broad categories of anesthetics: A general anesthetic causes loss of consciousness. A local anesthetic blocks sensation in a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness.