Citation

Barmack JE. J. Exp. Psychol. 1939; 25(5): 494-505.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1939, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/h0054402

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The effect of 15 mgs. of benzedrine sulfate and 60 mgs. of ephedrine hydrochloride were compared with those of a control pill with regard to systolic blood pressure, heart rate, pursuitmeter accuracy, and subjective ratings on a 9-point scale of bored-interested relaxed-strained, irritated-pleased, peppy-fatigued, sleepy-wide awake, and attentive-inattentive. The main findings under the conditions of the experiment are as follows: (1) Benzedrine retarded the development of pursuit accuracy and of a condition leading to a report of boredom, of irritation with the work, of fatigue, of sleepiness, and of inattention. (2) Benzedrine increased the systolic blood pressure and the heart rate. (3) Ephedrine chloride had a similar, though weaker and more transient, effect on pursuit accuracy and on the subjective ratings. The ephedrine hydrochloride had a more pronounced effect on the systolic pressure than the benzedrine, but was practically without effect on the heart rate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)


Keywords: Driver distraction;