462 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



the pulse is at first slowed, the vagus becomes finally para- 

 lyzed in poisoning, and the pulse is rapid and imperceptible 

 in the later stages. 



Nervous System. — Toxic doses of quinine injected into 

 the carotid artery cause meningitis by direct irritation. 

 Large doses will also produce congestion and extravasation 

 of blood into the middle ear and labyrinth, and will give rise 

 to epileptiform convulsions in the lower animals. In mau, 

 ringing in the ears, fulness in the head, and slight deafness 

 commonly follow a large medicinal dose (cinchonism).- 

 There is some clinical evidence that quinine in medicinal 

 doses is a cerebral stimulant, but there is no experimental 

 proof of the fact. 



Spinal Cord and Nerves. — Quinine, as shown by experi- 

 ments conducted on the frog, lessens reflex activity after 

 small doses. This condition disappears on section of the 

 medulla. Large doses, however, cause permanent loss of 

 reflex excitability. The same alkaloid first excites and then 

 paralyzes the peripheral sensory nerve endings. Muscular 

 contractility is also diminished by large doses of quinine. 



Uterus. — Quinine is thought by many to be an abortifa- 

 cient. There is no sufficient warrant for this conclusion. 

 There is, nevertheless, considerable testimony affirming that 

 the alkaloid stimulates uterine contraction;'S in inertia during 

 parturition, but at the same time increases the likelihood of 

 metrorrhagia. 



Kidneys, Metabolism and Elimination. — Quinine lessens 

 the secretion of uric acid and, to a somewhat less extent, 

 that of urea. Tissue waste must therefore be reduced. This 

 is in accordance with our knowledge of its power to lessen 

 oxidation and protoplasmic activity. It is curious to note 

 in this connection that the excretion of carbonic dioxide by 

 the lungs is not notably decreased. Quinine is eliminated 

 chiefly by the kidneys, but more or less is unabsorbed and 

 passes away in the faeces. While its excretion in the urine 

 begins soon after its ingestion, and lasts for some days, the 

 gT-eater amount escapes within forty-eight hours. Quinine is 



