Abstract
Most of the observations were made on isolated segments of intestine taken from different animals and placed in Locke's solution through which a constant stream of oxygen was allowed to pass. Oil of chenopodium added to Locke's solution produced a marked decrease of contractility. An emulsion of 1: 10,000 oil of chenopodium decreased the force and frequency of the contractions soon after the gut was exposed to the oil. When subjected to the influence of oil of chenopodium for a short time, 10 to 15 minutes, recovery, though incomplete, took place if at the end of this time it was returned to Locke's solution alone. When the tissue remained longer in contact with the oil, recovery was slight if Locke's solution was substituted for an emulsion containing oil of chenopodium. The depressing effect of chenopodium was found to vary in different portions of the gut, being much more marked in case of the colon than in segments taken from the small intestine.
The intravenous injection of chenopodium given in the form of an emulsion with neutral olive oil or cocoanut oil and acacia inhibited peristalsis. One tenth to 0.125 c.c. of the oil of chenopodium was followed by decreased frequency of peristaltic action and in some experiments the administration of 0.125 to 0.2 c.c. per kilo completely abolished the movements of the cecum for a considerable period of time.
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