Quite frequently a child initially refusing oral ascorbate will
cooperate after injections if given the alternative. While this method
of persuasion seems cruel, it is better than the complications which
might otherwise occur. These intramuscular injections can be used in a
crisis situation. Kalokerinos describes cases where certain death in
infants already in shock has been averted by emergency intramuscular
ascorbate.
For intravenous solutions concentrations of 60 grams per
liter are made with the 250 or 500 mgm/cc sodium ascorbate diluted with
Ringer's lactate, 1/2N saline, 1N saline, D5W, or distilled water for
injection. I prefer the latter, but one has to be absolutely sure that
an error is not made and pure water given. Ascorbate is more efficient
intravenously than orally probably because chemical processes in the gut
destroy a percentage of that orally administered. Doses of 400 to 700
mgm/kg of body weight per 24 hours usually suffice
