THERAPY IN CATATONIA
The Effects Of Combining Caffeine Sodiobenzoate With Sodium Amytal
Samuel B. Broder M. S., M. D.
1. Over 700 injections of caffeine sodiobenzoate and sodium amytal were administered to 16 patients and 16 normal persons.
2. Of these, over 350 injections were given to eight catatonic patients and nearly 300 to the other eight psychotic patients.
3. Physiologic changes, such as pulse rate, respiration rate and blood pressure readings before the treatment and at five-minute intervals for 20 minutes following the administration of the drugs, were recorded, but were too insignificant and too irregular to merit emphasis.
4. The effect of the combination of caffeine sodiobenzoate with sodium amytal when used in certain quantities by certain routes on mutism, rigidity, slovenliness and stereotypy of posture and speech in the catatonic patient is reported.
5. The effects are reported of various combinations of caffeine and sodium amytal on the speed and accuracy in simple arithmetical problems and in copying similar passages by a mute patient with an undiagnosed organic brain disease.
