The Exotic Arsenal

In addition to the celebrated 11 gm. of deadly shellfish toxin and 8 mg. of lethal cobra venom, the CIA stockpiled eight substances that can kill people and 27 others that will temporarily incapacitate them. A sampling, drawn from an inventory that was made public last week at a hearing conducted by the Senate committee investigating the agency:

COLCHICINE. Paralyzes muscles, leading to asphyxiation.

STRYCHNINE. Commonly found in rat poison; kills by causing convulsions and failure of the central nervous system.

CYANIDE L-PILLS. Carried by agents in World War II; blocks the absorption of oxygen by the body's cells, resulting in an agonizing death by asphyxiation.

BZ. Blocks the transfer of impulses in the nervous system, resulting in paralysis.

CARBACHOL. Causes faintness, diarrhea and nausea.

SALMONELLA. Causes intestinal inflammation and dysentery.

HALOTHANE. An extremely potent anesthetic.

2-4 PYROLO. Causes amnesia.

M-246. Produces paralysis.

DESMETHOXY RESERPINE. Reduces the blood pressure; chronic use leads to severe mental depression.

CINCHONINE. An antimalarial drug; an overdose can result in cardiac arrest.

DEHYDROACETIC ACID. Impairs kidney function and causes vomiting and convulsions.

NEUROKININ. Produces severe pain.

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