Phencyclidine-related deaths in Los Angeles County, 1976.

Concentrations of phencyclidine in blood and liver are presented in five fatal cases occurring in Los Angeles County in 1976. Eleven other deaths in which phencyclidine contributed to death are described; acute psychotic reactions were observed in some of these cases. Two cases involved the drowning of individuals whose swimming capabilities may have been diminished from the effects of PCP.

Toxicologic assessments in acute heroin fatalities.

The recent improvements in analytic methods enable routine morphine detection in blood in microgram or nanogram quantities. It is now possible to assess acute death from heroin use by toxicologic analyses. A review of available data indicates a rapid distribution of morphine even in sudden fatalities, to the various organs of the body.

Antemortem conversion of codeine to morphine in man.

Forty-five drug overdose cases involving codeine were investigated. Concentrations of codeine and morphine were determined in blood, bile, liver, kidney, and urine. Ratios of codeine to morphine values for each of these specimens were compared and evidence was developed that codeine was metabolized partially into morphine in the antemortem stage.

Kinetics of heroin deacetylation in aqueous alkaline solution and in human serum and whole blood.

A kinetic study of heroin hydrolysis in alkaline aqueous solution at room temperature was conducted by a gas chromatographic method to measure the consecutive reactions of diacetylmorphine to monoacetylmorphine and of monoacetylmorphine to morphine. A first-order reaction was observed in both instances, and the rate for the deacetylation of heroin was greater than that of monoacetylmorphine. The rates of in vitro hydrolysis of diacetylmorphine in human whole blood and in serum were compared by the same method.