In article <perkinsw-311293040928 at perkinsw.mayo.edu> perkinsw at mayo.edu (Bill Perkins) writes:
> Re: noble gases as narcotics/anesthetics John Adriani writes:
>> "In spite of their inertness they may cause some degree of narcosis. This
> property decreases in the following order: xenon, krypton, neon, argon and
> helium."
>> Bill Perkins
> Dept. Anesthesiology
> Mayo Clinic
* * * WARNING: LAYMAN INPUT BELOW !! * * *
Rx: per os with 1 grain NaCl
I'm not a medical expert, but I seem to recall reading many years ago
somewhere (Popular Mechanics?) that the mechanism of action of the
noble gases in causing anesthesia is that they raise the freezing
temperature of water in the body to body temperature via a colligative
effect. This, in turn, leads to the formation of ice crystals in the
small blood vessels, reducing circulation. Anesthesia follows by
hypoxia.
Sounds awful.
Perhaps a physicist could confirm/refute the truth of this effect of
noble gases on water?
Bill Park
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