Abstract
The stimulating action of pituitary extract on the intestine of man has been widely accepted on the basis of clinical observation. However, experimental studies employing different preparations, different physiological methods and different animals have yielded inconstant results.
Bell and Hick 1 were the first to report a stimulating effect on the intestine of rabbits. McDonald 2 and his co-workers failed to produce defecation in cats after repeated doses and recently McIntosh and Owings 3 reported relaxation of the intestine of the dog after injection of pituitary preparations.
Studies of the effect of pituitary extract on the intestine of man have been made by Pancoast and Hopkins 4 who with the X-ray method found no definite evidence of acceleration of a contrast medium through the bowel. On the other hand, Kümmel, Jr., 5 with the abdomen of patients open noted that injections of pituitary extracts caused intestinal contractions followed by a period of active peristalsis.
The present study was begun on dogs with intestinal obstruction but later normal dogs were included. The first experiments were conducted on anesthetized dogs but subsequently a series of unanesthetized animals with Thiry-Vella fistulas was added for comparison. Tracings were made by means of balloons inserted into the intestine. In all, 23 experiments were performed on the dog. Cats and rabbits were studied briefly, 2 experiments being made on each. In order to study the effect on man 5 patients with colostomies and one with an ileostomy were selected, tracings being taken to record the intestinal movements.
In a series of 11 dogs under ether anesthesia to which pituitary extract was administered subcutaneously, or intravenously in doses of 0.5 to 2 cc. relaxation or decreased activity of the intestine was observed 6 times.
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