THE EFFECT OF OPIATES ON THE PAIN THRESHOLD IN POST-ADDICTS

Abstract

In post addicts, the increase in pain threshold following morphine was very variable and much lower than would be anticipated from studies on normals. In a few cases the threshold was lower following the drug. Results with Demerol, acetyl-salicylic acid, and certain morphine derivatives suggest that this reduction in pain threshold raising effect is somewhat specific. Measurements of pain threshold appear to have little connection with the relief of pain.