Description: Segment 1 Opening credits. Rolling intertitle contextualising the use of quick-acting barbiturates for intravenous anaesthesia. A narrator explains the barbiturates in common use and the medical vials such as Venesetic (clearly labelled with the word Poison), Evipan and Pentothal are displayed. It is noted that the latter is the most efficient and the demonstration to follow will use this. Intertitle: Apparatus. Equipment is laid out left to right on a bench sterile syringes of different sizes, wide bore needle (cannula), hypodermic needle for the injection, ether or sterile water in a bowl, swabs etc. There is also an oxygen cylinder and anaesthetic equipment. In the operating theatre there is an arm rest for the patient attached to the operating table as well as wrist straps. The ampoules are opened and the anaesthetist washes his hands. The syringe and cannula are rinsed. The syringe is charged, then placed on a sterile surface and it can be used up to 24 hours later. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:04:56:05 Length: 00:04:56:05 Segment 2 Intertitle: Technique of Venepuncture. An operation is about to start the narrator explains that the patient's veins should be inspected. If they are fatty, warm compresses should be applied to make them more obvious (not shown). The patient's arm is manually compressed and a simple rubber tourniquet applied. This patient also opens and closes his fist to aid the identification of a suitable vein. Several veins are pointed out before one is selected on the back of the hand. The anaesthetist once more washes his hands. The needle to be used is then shown in medium close-up (MCU), it is very sharp and hooked on one side. It is further sharpened with a sterile hone. The skin is swabbed clean. The angle of the needle as it enters the arm is demonstrated and the injection commences. Then a situation is shown where the needle is incorrectly positoned and the patient complains of pain. The injection is re-sited. The needle is fixed in position with adhesive tape. The arm has to be secured. Time start: 00:04:56:05 Time end: 00:09:55:00 Length: 00:04:49:05 Segment 3 Intertitle: Course of anaesthesia. A case study is then shown featuring a healthy woman of 23 who is about to undergo an inguinal herniorrhaphy. She has been given premedication which reduces the amount of anaesthesia required. The notes with the exact premedication are shown. Variations in the dosage are mentioned but not shown. The patient has some gauze atttached to her nose as her breathing will be very quiet and the medication will depress her respiration. The anaesthetist washes his hands and then administers the injection (there is no standard dose). A short rapid injection of 3 cubic cms is given the time is noted and then the patient is observed. The patient's airway must be kept clear. The patient rouses slightly and so is given more barbiturate. In this case, a further 3 cubic cms. At the point the patient reaches deepest anaesthesia, a signal is given to the surgeon to commence. The patient is topped up from time to time. A patient undergoing an orthopaedic operation is then shown deeper breathing is a signal for further medication. The commentary explains why the eye reflexes are not observed this is an unreliable indicator when using barbiturates. Time start: 00:09:55:00 Time end: 00:17:14:00 Length: 00:07:21:02 Segment 4 Intertitle: Dangers of Pentothal anaesthesia. A male patient is shown. Pentothal depresses the breathing and so the anaesthesist is seen observing the patient. Next, breathing is shown with the aid of a breathing bag. An operation is in progress the patient has a breathing tube in place and laryngeal spasm is noted. A female patient having spasms is shown and the operation has to be halted. The airway is partially removed, followed by artificial respiration by oxygen under pressure. When cyanosis ceases, an injection of stimulant drugs such as Cardiazol or Coramine (product shots are shown) can be given. A male patient is shown who has ceased breathing and his heart has also stopped. A male patient who has received an overdose of bariturate is then shown, artifical respiration is commenced with oxygen. Then both his colour and breathing improve. A chart is shown indicating the blood pressure of the patient when Pentothal has been given. Other charts are shown with normal and high blood pressure. The ensuing scenario shows how a situation when the anaesthetist has to swap over to an inhalation method (nitrous oxide and oxygen). Time start: 00:17:14:00 Time end: 00:23:57:00 Length: 00:06:43:00