ABSTRACT
When gaseous substances are abused, they may be introduced directly into the mouth or nose. A common variety is butane or propane, taken from either a large cylinder used for camping, heating and cooking, or from the small ampoule cylinders sold for refilling gas cigarette lighters. Others are used directly from pressurized aerosol cans, including pain-relieving sprays used for the relief of muscular conditions. Yet again, sniffing may be attained by merely inhaling directly from the neck of a container. Tins, jerry-cans and the petrol-fillers of motor vehicles may be used in this way. Some fire extinguishers contain an organic bromine derivative which is also abused for inhalation. This has a particular propensity for sensitizing the myocardium to catecholamines.
