Citation

Sandberg. F. Acta Physiol. Scand. 1953; 28(2-3): 272-278.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1953, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1748-1716.1953.tb00980.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The combined administration of barbiturates and an emetic was investigated in cats as a possible method of preventing suicide by overdosage of sedatives. The locally acting zinc sulphate was used as an emetic together with phenobarbital and three barbiturate mixtures containing two components, one with a short induction time and duration of action, the other with intermediate ones. In sedative as well as in lethal doses, the barbiturates examined exerted an inhibitory effect on the vomiting produced by zinc sulphate. When emesis occurred, gastric emptying was not complete and there was no definite influence on the fatal effect of barbiturates. It was found in 40 per cent of the animals which died that the vomitus was aspirated into the bronchi with resulting signs of pneumonia. I am indebted to Pharmacia Ltd., Uppsala, for financial support of the investigation.

Language: en