PSYCHIATRIC USES OF INTRAVENOUS SODIUM AMYTAL
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN M. C., U. S. A.1
1 Assistant to Medical Director, Highland Hospital, Asheville, N. C. Instructor in Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, N. C. Medical Director, Asheville Community Mental Hygiene Clinic, Asheville, N. C.
Sodium amytal intravenously is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic agent in psychiatry meriting more usage than given. Many patients in whom shock therapy or hypnosis cannot be utilized can be helped therapeutically or palliatively by suitable administration of this drug. It is convenient, safe and inexpensive, and can be used in stimulating doses, in narcosis regimen or as a powerful sedative.
