THE JOTJKNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY. 



ABSTRACTS. 



A Study of the Action of Aconite on the Mammalian Heart 

 and Circulation. — In the September issue of the Journal of Experimental 

 Medicine S. A. Matthews sums up a careful experimental research made 

 upon the hearts of dogs in the following manner: 



The action of aconitine on the dog's heart seems to consist in: 



1. A stimulation of the inhibitory mechanism, especially of the centres 

 tn the medulla oblongata. 



2. An increase in the irritability of the muscle of the auricle and the 

 ventricle, which leads to independent contractions of one or both of thesi» 

 divisions, and culminates in fibrillary contractions in the ventricle. 



The first of these is the only effect seen in the therapeutic use of the 

 drug, ami aconitine may therefore be considered to be indicated when it 

 is desirable to stimulate the inhibitory centre without acting on the heart 

 muscle. Of course, it has a further effect on the circulation through the 

 stimulation of the vasomotor centre, but this would appear to be of minor 

 importance. 



Diuretic Action of Salicylic Acid and Caffeine. — Siegert (Munchener 

 Medicinische Wocliensclirift, May 25, 1897) concludes a study of this subject. 

 In a case of chronic peritonitis salicylate of sodium in both small and large 

 doses lessened diuresis, the specific gravity of the urine being increase*! . 

 With pure caffeine there was constantly observed a markedly increased 

 diuresis, but with caffeine sodium salicylate (diuretin) the opposite effect 

 was seen, the caffeine diuresis being suppressed by the salicylate. Caffeine 

 produced its most marked effect after a course of small doses of salicylates. 

 The use of caffeine alone made tapping of the ascites unnecessary, owing 

 to the absorption of all the edema, which, on the other hand, was increased 

 by the use of salicylates. The author shows by experiments on animals 

 how the salicylates can abolish the diuresis produced by caffeine. Thus 

 it is undesirable to use the combination of caffeine and salicylates where 

 a. diuretic effect is aimed at. In one case where tapping had been done 

 "ome ninety times, the use of caffeine made any further tapping unneces- 

 sary. The author has used caffeine with digitalis, and has found the 

 diuretic effect very marked. It. is desirable to use the insoluble caffeine in 

 preference to the soluble combinations. The author would recommend the 

 use of caffeine, with or without digitalis, in all cases of venous engorge- 

 ment with intact kidneys, in order to remove the edema by diuresis. — 



The Active Principle of Castor Oil. — Many years ago Buchheim 

 stated that ricinoJeic acid is the purgative principle in castor oil, while 



