Sarin and Soman: Observations on Accidental Exposures

The case histories of five patients accidentally exposed to anticholinesterase compounds (sarin or soman) are presented. The circulating cholinesterase of one patient severely exposed to soman was refractory to oxime reactivation; this patient also had psychological sequelae which were ameliorated by scopolamine. In three patients who had mild manifestations of sarin intoxication the initial rate of recovery of plasma cholinesterase paralleled the recovery of their ability for adaptation to the dark, or loss of miosis. An anticholinergic compound with high central nervous system affinity, such as scopolamine, should be tried further when psychological morbidity follows anticholinesterase compound intoxication. (Author).