Abstract

In a previous communication we reported the synergism and potentiation of the antidotal action of sodium or amyl nitrite and sodium thiosulphate against cyanide poisoning. The combination of sodium thiosulphate with sodium nitrite proves to be better than with amyl nitrite. It becomes interesting to ascertain whether or not sodium tetrathionate will similarly potentiate the detoxifying action of sodium nitrite, since the tetrathionate has been shown to reduce the toxicity of hydrocyanic acid by Foresti and Draize. In a series of experiments with dogs our results reveal exactly the same synergism and potentiation that occur with sodium thiosulphate. With the combination of sodium nitrite and sodium tetrathionate, at least 3 dogs out of groups of 5 survived 13 or less M.L.D.'s of sodium cyanide; whereas, with sodium nitrite alone only 4 M.L.D's and with sodium tetrathionate alone 3 M.L.D.'s of NaCN were detoxified. The antidotal effect of sodium nitrite and sodium tetrathionate given together thus exceeds the sum of those contributed individually by sodium nitrite and sodium tetrathionate. It is therefore another case of potentiation of action. The nitrite-tetrathionate combination is apparently efficacious in the late stages of cyanide poisoning. Dogs receiving large doses of NaCN have completely recovered at the point of respiratory failure. The following protocol can be taken as an example of our experiments: We have also studied the combination of methylene blue and sodium tetrathionate or thiosulphate in cyanide poisoning, and observed a synergistic action. The results are, however, much less striking.

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