Rapid test for screening of narcotic analgesics in mice

50 microliter of a solution of 0.35 N NH4OH containing 2.325% EDTA and 0.837% NaCl injected intradermally in mice elicited reproducible short term behavior typical for nociceptive stimulus. This behavior was inhibited specifically by narcotic analgesics. This procedure may be used as a specific test for screening and for dose--effect studies of narcotic analgetic drugs in mice.