Salicylate Intoxication

SINCE others have discussed this complex subject,1 2 3 the present communication will focus on two aspects bearing directly on any rational therapeutic approach — namely, the vulnerable organ and how to protect it.What kills the patient who has ingested a lethal dose of salicylate? Though the answer to this question is not known with certainty, there is evidence that many patients who die do so with signs and symptoms suggesting primary Central-nervous-system dysfunction. Data from animal experiments supporting this concept are presented in Figure 1. Varying doses and means of administration of salicylate were used to produce a lethal effect in . . .