Simple Measures of Handwriting as Indices of Drug Effects

Abstract

Six measures of handwriting size were examined as indices of the effects of several concentrations of nitrous oxide, a central depressant drug. Nitrous oxide produced a systematic increase in the size of handwriting which was greater the greater the concentration, up to 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen which was the highest concentration used. The baseline length of words was the most sensitive and reliable index; it is a relatively quick and simple measure to make, and thus might find practical application.