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regard to the American experience with BZ, R. J. Moylan-Jones stated
that the pharmacological action of these compounds was anticholinergic.
The severity and duration of the effects depended on the type of glycol-
late, the dose, and the route of administration. All were effective by inha-
lation, and those that were liquid were active percutaneously.
76
A paper titled “Future Plans for Work in the UK” added that the US
was giving priority to four glycollates. Two glycollates were selected for
early study in the UK.
77
Porton Technical Paper No. 959 had concluded,
from detailed study of 19 compounds, that “T3436...acompound with
high activity, a low ratio between peripheral and central activity and an
action which is rapid in onset but short in duration might satisfy many of
the requirements for a mental incapacitating agent.”
78
The committee
also considered a wide-ranging survey of possible sources for new ideas
on incapacitants.
79
Among other reports, “The Anticholinergic Properties of Enantiomeric
Glycollates” and its associated Porton Technical Paper were of interest
in exploring more deeply how drugs and receptors interacted.
80
Other,
more-detailed work on receptor/drug interactions was reported in regard
to morphine-like receptors,
81
and in the then secret but soon open litera-
ture in regard to cholinergic receptors.
82
1968
The CDEE annual report for 1967-68 reviewed the ongoing work
and also reported the purchase of more advanced automated apparatus
for carrying out animal testing.
83
At the 50th meeting of the Advisory Council on Scientific Research and
Technical Development, the director of the CDEE said that “it was impor-
tant to note that...CDEE had to achieve a cut of £150,000 in annual
expenditure by the financial year 1970-1971.” This, he said, would af-
fect the program, and “less effort would be devoted to the search for new
incapacitating agents.”
84
The annual report noted that the council itself
would be replaced. However, the report concluded that work on en-
antiomeric glycollates should be “vigorously pursued.” No further trials
were required on LSD, as it was “unlikely to be used as a CW agent.”
85
Moreover, as Dr. D. C. Barrass explained to the Chemistry Committee,
“little attention had so far been paid to elucidating the mode of action of
hallucinogens such as LSD and mescaline.”
86
Dr. F. W. Beswick explained
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