Attempt at Percutaneous Introduction of d-Tubocurarine with a Direct Current into Muscles of Rabbits. *

Summary and Conclusions

The question of the effective depth of percutaneous penetration of substances introduced by direct galvanic current was explored, utilizing the effect of d-tubocurarine upon muscle as an indicator system.

Observations on 6 rabbits indicated that threshold values to electrical stimulation of a suitable nerve muscle preparation was not altered after electrophoresis with d-tubo-curarine.

Curarization of a rabbit with an intravenous dose revealed that to achieve an effect with tubocurarine electrophoresis only a maximum of 0.011 mg tubocurarine need reach the muscle.

Thus, further evidence is adduced that penetration of substances through the skin by electrophoresis is limited.