Use of the Barbiturate-Mercury Reaction in Clinical Laboratory ‘Screening’ for Barbiturate Poisoning

Abstract

The barbiturate-mercuric-diphenylcarbazone reaction of Lubran is reviewed. A micromethod for emergency serum barbiturate determination is described. Three significant improvements are linearity of colour reaction, the use of cellulose paper in the extraction and the use of tin-free dichloromethane as the extractant. Experiences with this method and with a commercial ‘kit’ method are recorded.