UN Office of Scientific Investigation and Research

EQUIPMENT

Curare

Neuromuscular blocking agent that causes relaxation of striated (skeletal) muscles and, in excessive doses, paralysis of the respiratory tract leading to death by suffocation. The active agent is an alkaloid, d-tubocurarine chloride. Injection causes an immediate and profound relaxation with a minimal concentration of agent. Recovery is equally swift, and without after-effects. It does not cause unconsciousness even at lethal doses, the victim remains aware although unable to move or call out.

Note that it only acts if injected into the bloodstream, ingestion is ineffective as is inhalation of the drug's gaseous form. Heart muscle is not affected

• 'Therapeutic' dose (Knowledge: Medicine or Pharmacy required to gauge this accurately) - 1d10 minutes of limp paralysis.
• 'Lethal' dose - death by respiratory failure in 1d20 minutes. The victim can be kept alive if artificial respiration is performed continuously until the effects wear off (in about an hour).