Historical Contributions to the Human Toxicology of Atropine

This monograph reviews selected aspects of the clinical syndrome produced by atropine intoxication, with particular reference to behavioral disturbances manifested therein. A human LD50 dose is estimated to be 453 mg, with 95% confidence limits of 335 - 612 mg (probit slope 1.8), for orally ingested atropine. The range of individual differences in behavioral toxicity and in lethality is described. Routes of administration of atropine are discussed, and some attempt is made to correlate dose-response data for the various routes. Finally, an historical summary of the military applications of the behavioral toxicology of atropine is presented with an Afterword on later research on atropine-related military incapacitants, viz. the chemical warfare agent BZ.