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One of the earliest know sedatives, chloral hydrate has de- veloped a reputation over the years as a useful end of life drug. It’s continues availability (often requiring a medical prescription) has led to a number of questions on Exit Fo- rums about the drugs usefulness as an agent for a peaceful and reliable death). This information is summarised here.
The drug was first synthesised in 1832 by chlorinating alco- hol in acid and shortly after this the drug’s sedative proper- ties were realised. Its solubility in alcohol saw it being used as an early form of ‘knockout drops’ or date-rape drug. The drugs infamous use as the so called Micky Finn in Chicago’s Lone Star Saloon in the early 1900s drew atten- tion to its possible use as a drug to peacefully end life.
Chloral
finds some use as a pre-operative
Hydrate still sedative
agent, often used in pae- diatrics, as a means of settling the child before surgical or dental pro- cedure. It is marketed as a syrup, usually in the concentration
of
100mg/ ml, or as gela- tine capsules
Fig 12.4 200ml bottle of Chloral Hydrate syrup (1gm/10ml)