ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 January 1978
Page Count: 4

Four Deaths Resulting from Abuse of Nitrous Oxide
Garriott, JC
Chief toxicologist, Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Texas

DiMaio, VJM
Medical examiner, Dallas County, Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Texas

(Received 9 May 1977; accepted 26 July 1977)

Abstract

Nitrous oxide is a weak anesthetic gas, used alone for dental work and as an adjunct to more potent anesthetics in major surgical procedures. It is the only inorganic gas that is practical for clinical anesthesia. Like all the anesthetic drugs, nitrous oxide has been subject to abuse. Unlike the other anesthetic agents, where the abuse is almost exclusively by medical personnel, nitrous oxide has been abused by the general public.

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Paper ID: JFS10667J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10667J
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