Introduction - Uppsala Monitoring Centre

Anaesthetics. Here the rapid reversal of the effect meant that there was less risk.
The commonest were nitrous oxide, ether and chloroform.
Local anaesthetics. These were usually given subcutaneously and entailed little
risk. The commonest was cocaine.
Hallucinogenic drugs. Many of these were taken for non-scientific purposes.
Commonest were LSD and mescalin.
Where it has been possible only the first one or two experimenters in these
categories are mentioned.
Table 2. Self-experimenters
Physician/scientist Drug taken ADRs reported
3500
BC
Shen-nong Many Not reported
?1565 Conrad Gesner Hellebore niger and
alba, Henbane
1676 Moyse Charas Opium Relaxed, insomnia and itching
1767 Alexander Williams Camphor
Castor
2 G first day no effect, doubled dose
on the second day. Convulsions,
Convulsions, delirium, foaming at the
mouth, raging
10 -20 G Indigestion
1768 Auenbrugger Joseph Camphor
Nitre (Potassium nitrate)
Date
1686 Francese Redi Viper Gall No effect as it is not poisonous
1701 Richard Mead Viper venom Swollen and painful tongue
1727 Isaac Newton As, Hg, Au, Pb All these elements were found in his
hair after death
1760 Anton Storck Hemlock (2gr)
Aconite
Henbane
Clematis
No effect