7.1. Truth serum: this was usually applied with the victim tied to a bed or stretcher; the drug was injected intravenously, drop by drop. The use of this drug for medicinal purposes is strictly controlled, because it has serious side effects and an overdose can even lead to death; 222 7.2. “Seasoning with ether”: the application of a kind of compress soaked in ether, particularly to the most sensitive parts of the body such as the mouth, nose, ears, penis, etc., or the introduction of a wad of cotton or towelling, also soaked in ether, in the anus or vagina of the victim; 223 7.3. Ether injection: application of subcutaenous injections of ether that caused shooting pains. Normally, this method of torture caused the necrosis of the affected tissue, and the extent depended on the area affected; 224 8. Asphyxiation: obstruction of the respiration resulting in a feeling of asphyxiation, covering the victim’s mouth and nose with cotton or towelling material, which also prevented the victim from crying out. The victim experienced dizziness and could faint; 225 9. Hanging: the person tortured had a rope or piece of material tightened around his neck, and had the sensation that he was being suffocated; at times, this resulted in loss of consciousness; 226 10. Crucifixion: the victim was hung from his bound hands or feet on hooks set into the ceiling or the stairs, leaving him hanging and applying electric shocks, punches and other usual means of torture; 227 11. Furar poço de petróleo (“drilling an oil well”): the victim was obliged to place a finger on the ground and run in circles, without moving the finger, until he fell exhausted. All this time, he was punched and kicked and subjected to other acts of violence; 228 12. Standing on two open cans: the victim, with bare feet, was obliged to balance on the raw edges of two open cans. At times, this was done until the victim was bleeding. When he lost his balance and fell, the beatings increased; 229 13. The ice box: a torture technique of British origin in which the detainee was confined in a cell of approximately 1.5m x 1.5m high, to prevent him standing. The inner door was made of metal and the walls were lined with insulation sheets. There was no hole through which external light or sound could enter. A refrigeration and heating system alternated high and low temperatures. The cell was kept in total darkness most of the time. From time to time, small colored lights in the ceiling flickered rapidly, while a 222 This was sodium pentothal, a barbiturate (barbiturates and other hypnotic drugs have a progressive effect; first, sedative and then of general anesthesia, and lastly, of gradual respiratory depression). Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 370 (evidence file, folio 900). 223 The repeated application of these compresses and wads resulted in burns that caused great pain. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 370 (evidence file, folio 900). 224 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 370 (evidence file, folio 900). 225 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 371 (evidence file, folio 901). 226 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 371 (evidence file, folio 901). 227 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 371 (evidence file, folio 901). 228 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 371 (evidence file, folio 901). 229 Cf. Report of the National Truth Commission, p. 371 (evidence file, folio 901). 58