Somnifaine Narcosis: Toxic Symptoms and Their Treatment by Insulin

Abstract

During the last decade prolonged narcosis has been accepted as a most valuable form of treatment in mental disorder, but many psychiatrists refuse to use it because of its dangers. The present paper presents clinical and laboratory evidence that a method has been devised whereby most of the toxic symptoms can be obviated. It is claimed that a large proportion of these symptoms are due to upset of carbohydrate metabolism of the liver and heart by the narcotic, and that in the administration of insulin and glucose as an integral part of the treatment a rational method of prevention has been evolved. No attempt is made to record the results of treatment, as it is proposed to publish this separately, the aim of the present paper being to show the elimination of toxic symptoms by the suggested modification of treatment.