Abstract
Some time ago we reported to this society1 that the intravenous injection of nicotin produced in the aorta of rabbits lesions practically identical with those obtained by Josue and others with intravenous injections of adrenalin.
The following is a brief summary of our further experiments along those lines. Many observers have laid particular stress upon the fact that where macroscopic lesions are not found, minute microscopic changes, stretching of the elastica and the like, could be recognized. We have counted as positive only such where there were distinctly visible macroscopic lesions. All observers agree that the best results can be obtained with older animals weighing over 2,000 grams. It was our misfortune that the great majority of rabbits obtainable by us were young and under the weight mentioned.
Twenty-four rabbits were treated with intravenous injections of nicotin, the dose being 5 drops of a 1-200 solution of pure nicotin. 7 died before they had had a sufficient number of injections. Of the remaining 17, results were positive in 7 after 18 to 77 injections. In 10 there were no macroscopic lesions after 20 to 117 injections.
In 6 rabbits nicotin and euphthalmin were used. Five were negative but one which had received alternate nicotin and euphthalmin injections 69 times showed aneurysm and calcification. The euphthalmin did not alter the typical nicotin reaction, such as convulsions, etc.
Nine rabbits received intravenous injections of nicotin and subcutaneous injections of iodipin. All were negative.
Two rabbits received their nicotin subcutaneously, the dose being double that given intravenously. One died too soon; the other was killed after 25 injections. Neither showed any arterial lesions.
One rabbit was given nicotin simultaneously with 1/10 grain atropin. It died after 14 injections; negative.
One nicotin and amyl nitrite; negative. Convulsions in no way influenced by these drugs.
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