Effects of Anesthetics on the Response of Submaxillary and Pancreatic Glands to Prostigmine and Physostigmine

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

Prostigmine and physostigmine were administered intravenously in doses ranging from 0.005 mg to 0.2 mg per kilo to dogs anesthetized with either sodium pentobarbital, chloralose, or paraldehyde. The effects on pancreatic and salivary secretion and on the blood pressure and heart rate were recorded.

1. In the lower doses prostigmine is a more potent excitant of pancreatic and submaxillary secretion than physostigmine. A “reversal” in the response of the pancreas occurred when the dose of prostigmine was increased above 0.06 mg per kilo, and of the submaxillary gland in doses above 0.1 mg per kilo.

2. Chloralose anesthesia markedly diminishes the secretory response of the pancreas and submaxillary secretion to prostigmine and physostigmine; the same is true of paraldehyde anesthesia.