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Physician’s Guide to Terrorist Attack pp 311–324Cite as

Incapacitating Agents

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Abstract

On March 16, 1995, eight patients presented to a Bronx hospital emergency department (ED) with acute onset of agitation and hallucinations approximately 1 hour after “snorting” heroin. These patients were initially found to have lethargy and pinpoint pupils by prehospital personnel. They had been treated with intravenous naloxone en route to the hospital and became agitated and delirious. On physical examination in the ED, they were tachycardic and mildly hypertensive, with dilated pupils, dry skin and mucous membranes, and diminished or absent bowel sounds; five had urinary retention. The findings were noted to be consistent with the anticholinergic syndrome. The patients were sedated with diazepam or lorazepam, receiving supportive care and a complete medical evaluation as their signs and symptoms resolved over the next 12–24 hours.

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Authors
  1. Sage W. Wiener MD
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  2. Lewis S. Nelson MD, FACEP, FACMT
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Michael J. Roy MD, MPH, FACP

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Wiener, S.W., Nelson, L.S. (2004). Incapacitating Agents. In: Roy, M.J. (eds) Physician’s Guide to Terrorist Attack. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-663-8_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-663-8_22

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