The efficacy of the oxime HI-6 was studied as a treatment for organophosphorus poisoning. HI-6 was given four times daily as a single intramuscular injection of 500 mg accompanied by atropine and diazepam therapy. Oxime treatment was started on admission and continued for a minimum of 48 h and a maximum of 7 d. HI-6 rapidly reactivated human blood acetylcholinesterase inhibited by dimethoxy organophosphorus compounds, while the dimethoxy-inhibited enzyme was mainly resistant to the treatment by HI-6. Although both HI-6 and pralidoxime chloride reactivated the red blood cell cholinesterase in quinalphos-poisoned subjects, the return of enzyme activities was more rapid following the use of HI-6. The general improvement of poisoned patients, which was sometimes more rapid than the rise of acetylcholinesterase activity, pointed to direct pharmacological effects of HI-6. No undesirable side-effects were noted in patients when HI-6 plasma concentrations were maintained at levels far above the 'therapeutic' concentration for up to 7 d.