A Z Hameli | PubMed Health

PubMed1980

A death involving asphyxiation from propane inhalation.

A death involving asphyxiation by propane inhalation is reported. The presence of propane was determined in blood, brain, kidney, liver, and lung by gas chromatography. Autopsy samples were heated in hot water, and headspace samples from various specimens were injected into the gas chromatograph. The identity of propane was established on the basis of the retention times. The brain of the deceased showed the highest level of propane, whereas the kidney exhibited the lowest level.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Two unusual barbiturate deaths.

The case histories and toxicological examination of two unusual fatal barbiturate poisonings are presented. One case involved the suicidal ingestion of a veterinarian euthanasia preparation containing pentobarbital which resulted in extremely high concentrations of the drug in the blood and liver. The second case involved the suicidal ingestion of vinbarbital, a drug no longer available on the american pharmaceutical market. The case exemplifies the necessity for definitive and analytical procedures for the identification of drugs in biological samples. Identification of pentobarbital and vinbarbital was by infrared spectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography. Quantitation of these drugs was by ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

Aged↗