The evaluation of analgesic drugs. The case for experimental methods.

The current status of the experimental, as opposed to the traditional clinical, approach to the evaluation of analgesic activity is examined in the light of recent observations made with the submaximal tourniquet and electric shock methods of inducing experimental pain. The results obtained indicate that the submaximal effort tourniquet technique shows an acceptable degree of sensitivity in detecting the analgesic activity of both narcotic and non-narcotic agents which is not the case with the electric shock method. These differences in sensitivities between two different experimental methods are examined and some possible explanations offered for the findings. It is concluded that some modern experimental methods may now provide a valid and desirable alternative to the clinical approach for the evaluation of analgesic agents.