FiTCHETT. — Physiological Action of Tutin. 333 



by tutin. Cardiac inhibition does not occur, and the heart beats forcibly 

 up to the time of death. Respiration is quickened and deepened. The 

 pupil is not aft'ected by local appUcation, but dilates during the tutin fit. 

 General metabolism is not affected. 



9. From experiments on birds and rabbits, some slight degree of tolerance 

 seems to be acquired. The natural relative immunity of birds is discussed. 



10. Accumulation of the drug, or of its effects, may occur. Thus a guinea- 

 pig was found to be unable to dispose of 2 mlgm. per kilo per os adminis- 

 tered every second day. 



11. The toxic action of tutin was compared with that of other members of 

 the picrotoxin group. It was found to be more toxic than the sample of 

 picrotoxin employed. The action of coriamyrtin was found to be very 

 similar to that of tutin. 



12. Attempts were made to antagonize the action of tutin with chloral- 

 hydrate and other drugs, with a slight degree of success. 



Attention is drawn to the powerful action of weak alkalis on tutin. 

 The toxic power of tutin is completely destroyed by 0"2 per cent, sodium- 

 hvdrate acting upon it for five minutes at 37° C, and possibly the action 

 of weaker alkalis — e.g., lime and magnesia — would be equally destructive. 



The suggestion is made that weak alkali should be used to destroy the 

 tutin in the stomach in the case of stock poisoned by eating the tutu plant. 



I may state here that the bulk of the work was done in the physiological 

 laboratory of the Otago University, and I gladly take the opportunity of 

 acknowledging my great indebtedness to Professor Malcolm, both for this 

 privilege and for the essential aid he has afforded me by advice and criticism. 

 I wish also to acknowledge my obhgation to Mr. Aston for supplies of tutin 

 and coriamyrtin, and for several references ; to Dr. Hocken, for the use of 

 his invaluable library ; to Professor Benham, for the identification of 

 specimens ; to Mr. Deans, of the Acclimatisation Society, for suppHes of 

 trout-fry ; and to Nurse Stronach, of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Lake 

 Logan, for supplies of minnows. 



PROTOCOLS. 



Exp. 1. 



P.M. Cat (female). Weight, 3-28 kilograms. 



5.25. Gave 33-4 minims of a 0-5-per-cent. solution of tutin in 0-75 per cent, saline 



(3 mlgm. per kilo body-weight), under skin of back. 

 5.29. Respiration rapid (48 to the quarter-minute) ; hypersalivation ; keeps mouth 



agape ; panting vigorously. 

 5.32. Lying on bottom of cage panting, respirations audible ; mouth open ; thick 



ropy saliva pouring from mouth ; whole body shaking with respiratory effort ; 



j)upils moderate. 

 5.35. Becoming restless ; walks cautiously about cage. 

 5.35^^. iSuddenly seized wdth violent convulsion ; tonic spasm affecting all muscles, 



lastmg 30 seconds, succeeded by clonic spasms ; pupils widely dilated ; 



defaecation ; micturition ; nose cyanosed ; unconscious, conjunctival and ear 



reflex absent. 



5.44. Almost constant convulsion since last note ; now becoming exhausted ; re- 



spiration slow, irregular, spasmodic ; pupils dilate during convulsions, con- 

 tract in intervals. 



5.45. Respiration infrequent and jerky ; fits in abeyance ; lies full stretched on 



side ; twitching of individual muscles. 

 5.47. Fit after three mimites' interval ; tonic spasm not succeeded by clonic. 

 5.49. Occasional gasping respirations ; writhing- movements of body. 

 5.51. Clonic spasm, with a few involuntary cries. 

 5.53^. Clonic spasm. 



