Abstract
The effects of ethanol, caffeine and nicotine tartrate were studied on albino rats in the circular maze. The rats were first trained to solve the maze problem perfectly, that is to find their way to the center of the maze by the shortest route, without making any errors and in the shortest period of time. They were then injected subcutaneously or intraperitoneally respectively with solutions of the above drugs, and the effects of the drugs on behavior were noted. Controls were made by injecting rats with solutions of sodium chloride and with distilled water. No improvement in the running time of the animals was noted after small doses of the drugs. All of the drugs when given in sufficient quantity produced depression of the animals, as manifested by slower movements, neuromuscular incoördination, loss of memory-habit, and number of errors committed. It was found that the smallest dose of caffeine required to produce depression, that is to impair the efficiency of the rats' behavior in the maze, was 10 mgs. for a rat weighing on an average 150 grams. The smallest dose of nicotine tartrate to produce depression was 0.02 mg. (equivalent to 0.007 mgs. of nicotine). The smallest dose of ethanol to produce depression, when injected in the form of 4 per cent. solution was about 80 mgs. by weight.
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