SOME EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANTICONVULSIVE ACTION OF PARALDEHYDE

Abstract

Paraldehyde produces little toxicity when injected intraven. in doses up to 0.2 cc./kg. Narcotic action results from larger doses. Cerebral cortical motor responses are reduced or abolished in the cat and man by small doses. The effect lasts for several mins. in the cat and is able to counteract leptazol-induced convulsive discharges. The anticonvulsant action of paraldehyde against strychnine and leptazol operates in decere-brate and spinal preparations as well. Paraldehyde depresses to a lesser degree the peripheral neuromuscular junctions and ganglion synapses.