SODIUM AMYTAL AND BEHAVIOUR IN NEUROTIC SUBJECTS BY

Sodium amytal is a barbiturate drug which has been used for some 25 years as a sedative, narcotic, and anticonvulsant. Data concerning its action and the action of structurally similar moderate-duration barbiturates such as " dial " and " nem-butal ", suggest that it has both central and peri-pheral effects upon the nervous system. It has been shown to alter the normal electroencephalogram producing high-voltage fast activity in doses of about 3 grains intravenously, and slow activity in anaesthetic doses (Brazier and Finesinger, 1945). Clinically, by mouth or injection, in adequate dosage sodium amytal produces drowsiness and sleep (Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry, 1931), and small doses intravenously have been described a