Effect on the Electrocardiogram of Coumingine Hydrochloride,a New Alkaloid with Digitalis-like Action

Abstract

Conclusions

1. The parenteral administration of coumingine hydrochloride, a new alkaloid, produced electrocardiographic disturbances in dogs and cats similar to those of digitalis. 2. The cat unit by the Hatcher and Brody method was found to be 0.159 mg per kg, confirming the result of Chen. 3. Daily intramuscular injections in dogs of variable sublethal doses of coumingine hydrochloride revealed that the onset of electrocardiographic disturbances was slower than after comparable doses of digitalis. The rate of disappearance of P.R prolongation after injections were discontinued, was essentially the same. However, the myocardial irritation of coumingine hydrochloride indicated by T-wave changes, was less persistent than after digitalis administration. 4. Toxic symptoms were essentially similar to those noted in digitalized controls but were milder in character. 5. Local inflammatory reaction following intramuscular injection of moderate or large doses of coumingine hydrochloride was marked.