The use of cholinesterase in severe head injury

White rats were subjected experimentally to head injury, and also observations were made on them and on 12 patients with head injuries. It was found that injection of cholinesterase brought back to normal function the endogenous cholinesterase system, the adrenal cortex and the properdine--albumin complex system. Stabilization of these indices of homeostatic activity improved the chances of survival of the animals and patients. It was concluded that it would be desirable to administer cholinesterase more frequently in the treatment of head injury.