No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

McEwen's observations (13 September. p 649) that prophylactic steroid cover is unlikely to be of any help in the treatment of anaphylaxis, but we cannot possibly agree with his statement that "when faced with profound anaphylactic collapse most doctors give adrenaline intravenously, using 0 5 ml of 1/1000 solution, diluted if possible, given slowly." We consider the risks of intravenous adrenaline are so great that no general practitioner should ever give it in this way. Besides the very severe subjective symptoms that will arise, the more serious effects of cerebral haemorrhage and cardiac arrhythmias preclude its use intravenously except in exceptional circumstances, when it must be adequately diluted.'