Abstract
Summary
The response of the gastrocnemius to maximal stimulation through its nerve was studied in the rat. During deep etherization there is a depression of 12% in the muscle action potential. At the same time the respiration is depressed; anoxia alone due to this may account for 5% depression. Hence a muscular depression of only 7% can be attributed to the action of ether, not necessarily involving neuromuscular block. Nevertheless there is a synergism between ether and curare, since the effects of these agents given together is one-third greater than the sum of their separate effects.
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