Abstract
Summary
The action of the erythro-phleum alkaloid coumingine has been studied on the turtle heart. It has a pronounced vagal effect on the auricle. Diastolic shortening of ventricular muscle was the outstanding action. Conduction time in ventricular muscle was prolonged and the threshold for electrical stimulation raised. The characteristic shortening of refractory period produced by digitalis glycosides did not occur. The tendency to cause spontaneous tachycardias would preclude the use of coumingine in clinical medicine.
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