Neuromuscular Effects of Ether, Cyclopropane, Chloroform and Fluothane

The Differential Effect of Anesthetics on Muscle Relaxation

“…A somewhat different mechanism of action of ether and curare in the motor endplate, was indicated by Naess (11). \Vatland et al also investigated the periph°r'1 action of ether, as well as that of cyclopropane and halothane (13). The review of the literature concerning the peripheral action of anesthetics shows that ether has profound action on neuromuscular transmission at the surgical depth of anesthesia.…”

Effect of Anesthetics on Acetylcholine Release from the Myoneural Junction

“…Miller et al (16) and Watland et al (1) also found that these agents do not alter the height of the muscle twitch. Ketamine has been reported to have a slight depressant action on the endplate and not to affect the height of the muscle twitch (17).…”

“…It has been reported that diethyl ether as well as other intravenous and inhalation anesthetics have varying depressant actions on neuromuscular transmission (1)(2)(3) . With respect to diethyl ether this has been ascribed to a curare like action on the postjuctional membrane (4,5).…”

“…The origin of the muscle was connected to a stationary metal rod while its tendon was attached to a transducer. The muscle was then placed in a 15 ml bath containing eserinized frog Ringer's solution (NaCl, 1 …”

The Smaller Halogenated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

“…(129) found that only anesthesia with ether depressed the response of the gastrocnemius muscle to electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Cyclopropane and chloroform actually enhanced muscle contraction while halothane had no effect.…”