Effects of Argon

[Ramin Charles Nakisa]

One of the amazing things about anaesthetics is that they are so diverse in 
structure.  They include alcohols (up to 12 carbons), alkanes (up to 9 
carbons), halogenated hydrocarbons (halothane, chloroform), ketones 
(acetone), steroids (alphaxalone) and barbiturates (pentobarbital).  And, 
yes, the noble gases such as krypton and argon are also known to act as 
anaesthetics.  Xenon is commonly used in castration operations!

I'm surprised that argon worked at atmospheric pressure.  I thought that 
nitrogen, argon and krypton are only anaesthetics at high pressure.
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< Ramin Charles Nakisa, "She walks in beauty Tel:    071 589-5111 x 6729   >
> Biophysics Section,   As the night of      FAX:    071 589-0191          <
< The Blackett Lab,     starry skies and     EMAIL:                        >
> Imperial College,     cloudless climes..."         ramin at ic.ac.uk        <
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