Abstract
Koessler and Hanke 1 showed that histamine and other amines are produced by bacterial activity in the intestine, and that histamine is apparently detoxified during absorption through the intestinal wall. Best and McHenry 2 have found in the intestinal mucosa of the dog an enzyme which destroys the physiological activity of histamine. It seems, therefore, that the process of detoxication may be an important function of the normal mucosa.
In an earlier paper from this laboratory 3 it was shown that exposure to certain chemical agents renders the dog's intestine permeable to histamine. Such an effect was noted with alcohol and chloroform, in varying dilutions. It therefore seemed of interest to study the effect of ether, because of the extensive use of ether-oil mixtures given per rectum for anesthesia.
Small dogs, in good health, were used. Preparation included 18 hours without food, 10 mg. per kilo of morphine sulphate given subcutaneously, and an enema of warm tap water. Anesthesia was induced by ether inhalation, which was lightened subsequently whenever additional ether was given per rectum. Records were made of respiration and of carotid blood pressure. A soft rubber catheter and draining tube were fixed in place for rectal injections. The dose of ether-olive oil mixture was 3 cc. per kilo body weight, as in the experiments of Beckmann, cited by Gwathmey. 4 The ratio by volume of ether to oil was varied from 75/25 to 35/65. After retention from 5 to 20 minutes the residue was washed out with saline solution. Five to 10 minutes later histamine dichloride (Eastman), 5 mg. per kilo in saline solution, was allowed to run into the colon.
Under these conditions, the administration of histamine was followed in every instance by an immediate and marked fall of arterial pressure.
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