Anæsthetic Effect produced by Organophosphorus Compounds

Abstract

DURING the study of the toxic action of the ‘Metasystox’ isomers (O,O-dimethyl-O-ethylthioethyl phosphorothionate and O,O-dimethyl-S-ethylthioethyl phosphorothiolate) pronounced anæsthetic effects were observed in rats after sublethal intravenous injection with both compounds. To find out if this anæsthetic property is shared by other organophosphorus compounds of low toxicity, other esters known to possess little or no anticholinesterase activity were tested in a similar way. ‘Malathion’ and bis-dimethylamido-8-hydroxyquinolyl phosphate were chosen as weak inhibitors, trimethyl-, triethyl- and tributyl-phosphates and triethyl-phosphorothionate as compounds with no anticholinesterase activity.