THE DYNAMICS OF CURARIZATION

¹ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi

1. An extensive series of experiments has been conducted to quantitate the difference in the ability of curare to paralyze the gastrocnemius, as representative of the generalized bodily musculature, and the diaphragm. In general, for the different degrees of paralysis it requires an average of 1 as much curare to paralyze the diaphragm as to paralyze the gastrocnemius.

2. The measured degree of paralysis in curare poisoning for any given dose is more pronounced the greater the frequency of stimulation. Because of this fact, it is postulated that curare delays recovery of the muscle's receptive mechanism to nerve stimuli at the myoneural junction.

3. The speed of curarization is instantaneous, or almost so, once it has diffused to the muscles.

4. The state of maximum curarization after an intravenous dose of curare lasts an average of one to two minutes.

5. After a dose of curare is given which is just sufficient to paralyze the gastrocnemii completely, all evidence of curarization has usually disappeared in approximately 25 minutes.

6. Several unexplained deaths occurred in heavily curarized animals even though the respiratory embarrassment was controlled by neostigmine.

7. Neostigmine is almost instantaneously effective as an anti-curare agent even after full effect from curare has already occurred.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Rogozov, L. Hess, A. Brezina, and J. Schreibrova The Effectiveness of 112-Year-Old Curare Anesth. Analg., February 1, 2008; 106(2): 676 - 677. [Full Text] [PDF]