[quote=dweste]
"I would still like to understand what other first aid purposes are served by stimulants."

Not sure that the amphetamines were in the FAK for first aid purposes, (tho both amphetamines and caffeine have been used in the past as respiratory stimulants-we had IV caffeine sodium benzoate on the crash cart in 1974, and caffeine is similar to theobromide, an old school asthma treatment). I think it got stuck there cuz thats where the aspirin and other meds were housed, and it made more sense than putting it in the toolbox.

Alternatively, there is a case to be made that stimulants improve mental acuity and physical performance in some stamina-dependent activities, and might therefore be useful in crisis response. At one level, we dress the wounds and treat the pain to improve performance in other activities-this would be analogous, perhaps, to popping a tab of caffeine. Might could make a case for a sleeping pill in the kit, to promote rest-but there is usually some benadryl anyway, and that works just fine.