Certain chemical and pharmacological properties of sodium nitroprusside, a cheap, readily available chemical, have been described. It is a powerful hypotensive agent when given intravenously to hypertensive patients. It is no more effective than the sodium thiocyanate into which it is converted when given by mouth. Prolonged infusion has proved highly effective in the treatment of hypertensive encephalopathy.

No abstract

A report to the American Heart Association and to the American Society for the Study of Arteriosclerosis the Nutrition Committee of the Council on Community Service and Education of the American Heart Association and others.