PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF CONDURANGO. 



(From Journal of Physiology, vol. v, pp. 17 — 34.) 



All the experiments which I have performed for the purpose 

 of ascertaining the physiological action of Condurango were 

 made with a watery extract prepared for me by Mr. Jeffs» 

 Dispenser to St. Bartholomew's Hospital.* 



Characters of the Extract of Condurango. 



One ounce of the extract was obtained from one pound of the 

 root. It was of a dark brown, almost black colour, slightly 

 aromatic odour, and a bitter taste. It was very soluble in 

 water, and formed a dark brown opaque solution. 



General Action of the Extract on Frogs. 



Some of the experiments here detailed were made with the 

 double purpose of ascertaining the influence of Condurango on 

 reflex action as well as its general action, and the animals 

 were therefore in these experiments suspended, instead of 

 being allowed to move freely on a level surface. 



Experiment I. — Five grains of the extract of Condurango- 

 were suspended in six minims of water and |ths of the mixture 

 (4| grains) injected under the skin of the back of a large frog, 

 tolerably strong but not so active as most of the others. It 

 was then covered by a glass jar. The frog remained quiet when 

 left to itself, but moved actively when touched. No effect 

 seemed to be produced by the Condurango for an hour after^ 

 wards. 



Twenty-four hours after the frog was again examined and 

 seemed totally unaffected. Four days afterwards it was found 



* The experiments recorded in this paper were all made in the autumn of 



