Abstract
During our previous investigations of the stimulating action of benzedrine sulfate on the central nervous system 1 , 2 , 3 the possibility suggested itself of employing this drug to counteract the narcosis produced by barbiturates. Alles 4 observed that benzedrine intravenously had considerable effect in waking animals from barbital anesthesia. In man, Myerson, et al., 5 reported that benzedrine sulfate subcutaneously did not affect the depth, although it definitely shortened the duration of soluble amytal narcosis; and stated that hypertension produced by benzedrine sulfate subcutaneously could be reduced by soluble amytal intravenously, and also that hypotension produced by soluble amytal intravenously could be elevated by benzedrine sulfate subcutaneously. In rats, rabbits and guinea pigs unprotected by barbiturates the minimum lethal dose subcutaneously or intravenously has been reported by all observers 4 , 6 , 7 to be at least 25 mg. per kg. body weight. On the basis of these determinations it was felt that the dosage herein employed was entirely safe.
In the present study we decided to employ both soluble amytal and benzedrine sulfate intravenously. Ten patients without apparent physical disease were selected. Each was subjected to a control period as follows: the usual blood pressure and pulse levels were determined; then soluble amytal, 0.5 gm. (7 1/2 grains), was given intravenously; the narcosis thus induced was allowed to terminate spontaneously; the duration of the narcosis was noted; and the blood pressure and pulse levels were again determined at the moment of awakening.
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