780 HENRY G. BARBOUK 



acid which would be obtained by the demethylation and subsequent oxida- 

 tion of from ten to fifteen per cent of the ingested caffein. 



Astolfani maintains that caffein increases hippuric acid synthesis. 



Carbohydrate Metabolism. There is commonly a slight glycosuria 

 (discovered by Jacobj) during caffein and theobromin diuresis. It de- 

 pends on the presence of liver glycogen according to Richter(&), occurring 

 only when there is considerable hyperglycemia (Hirsch). It is usually 

 prevented by section of the splanchnic nerves, as shown by Pollak, am 

 by suprarenal excision (A. Mayer). Theobromin glycosuria is said bj 

 Miculicich to be inhibited by ergotoxin. 



Mineral Metabolism. The purins may increase the salt excretion 

 even when no diuresis is produced, e. g., in diabetes (E. Meyer). Ac- 

 cording to Saccone, on the other hand, theobromin and caffein may 

 diminish the chlorid excretion independently of the diuretic effect. In 

 rabbits Bock found that theocin increased both potassium and sodium 

 output, but not parallel with the diuresis. Sollmann found that the 

 chlorid-retaining mechanism which becomes broken down in rabbits re- 

 mains unimpaired in dogs and man. 



Alkalinity. Higgins and Means found that caffein diminishes the 

 alveolar carbon dioxid in man. 



Growth. Nice finds that caffein-fed mice exhibit subnormal activity. 

 Caffein increases their fecundity, but the viability of the young is re- 

 duced. The growth of the young is only inhibited if they themselves are 

 fed caffein. 



Catalase. Burge states that blood catalase is increased by caffein 

 and theobromin. Blood concentration was apparently not allowed for. 

 (Stehle(&)). 



Guanidin Bases. Watanabe(c) finds that the metabolic effects in- 

 duced by guanidin hydrochlorid resemble those of tetania parathyreopriva. 

 For example, besides the tetany there are an excess ammonia excretion, a 

 low content of calcium associated with high phosphates and a hypoglyce- 

 mia. Calcium lactate injection, however, fails either to restore the blood 

 sugar content or abolish the tetany. 



IX. Endocrin Drugs 



Epinephrin. Total Metabolism. Hari observed a diminution in the 

 total metabolism when epinephrin was injected into curarized dogs, either 

 intravenously or intraperitoneally. 



Later investigators, however, find that the characteristic action is to 

 increase the total oxidations in the body ; for example, Tompkins, Stur"gis, 

 and Wearn have observed that the basal metabolism is increased after 

 epinephrin not only in normal individuals, but in hyperthyroidism and 



