IS ATROPINE ALWAYS NECESSARY BEFORE GENERAL ANESTHESIA?

TROPINE has been used prior to general A anesthesia since 1867, when ether was the principal anesthetic.1 The reason for its use was that it was an effective antiemetic and antisialogogue. As newer anesthetic agents evolved, atropine or scopolamine continued to be employed. I t has been claimed that these drugs reduce the incidence of reflex blood pressure and pulse rate changes, protect against cardiac arrhythmias, counteract respiratory depression, and prevent laryngospasm.~~3~4