INTRAVENOUS IRON THERAPY

containing minute quantities of an emetic drug with barbiturates. The theory is that ingestion of excess quantities of the product causes expulsion of the hypnotic by vomiting, but in practice the idea has serious defects and even dangers, The practitioner's greatest obligation is to exercise care and intelligence in the prescription of barbiturates after a conscientious evaluation of the patient's condition. It is important not to be stampeded by complaints of simple insomnia; simpler measures than the taking of drugs are often sufficient, and it is well to bear in mind that the patient who loses sleep tends to make it up at other times. Attempts should be made to establish a normal rest pattern in each Individual case and to avoid the abnormal patterns which can become established insidiously with the taking of barbiturates at odd hours. Another essential point is cooperation between medical practitioners and pharmacists. The problems associated with the abuse of such widely used drugs as the barbiturates are necessarily much more subtle than those of drugs like morphine, heroin and cocaine, and constant vigilance is called for. Incidentally it seems reasonable to comment, though Maas does not mention the point, that the uncontrolled distribution of amphetamine compounds apart from other disadvantages, cannot be expected t~ decrease the illegitimate demand for barbiturates.