EFFECTS OF CERTAIN DRUGS AND POISONS 7T5 



Cow has shown that a number of supposed effects of these drugs upon 

 the renal function simply arise from actions upon the ureteral muscula- 

 ture. 



After repeated injections of large doses of pilocarpin Waterman, ob- 

 served both diuresis and glycosuria, attributing these to increased renal 

 permeability. 



It is not unusual for three liters of sweat to be removed by pilocarpin 

 diaphoresis, thus eliminating 2.5 grams of nitrogen. In nephritis this 

 could amount to eight grams, thus affording notable relief for the kidney. 

 (Sollmann.) 



Body Temperature. Both pilocarpin and atropin may cause hyper- 

 thermia, the former by secretory (especially salivary) dehydration and 

 smooth muscle and gland stimulation (Reichert), the latter by central 

 stimulation, perhaps associated with depression of tk^ sweat. Atropin 

 does not, however, hinder the action of antipyretic drugs. 



Strychnin. This alkaloid may be classed as an asphyxial poison for 

 the reason that such effects as it exerts upon the metabolism are, in part 

 at least, due to oxygen-lack. In view, however, of its most characteristic 

 action being a direct stimulation of the central nervous system it is natural 

 to invoke this stimulation in explanation of the glycogen discharge which 

 strychnin produces. 



Carbohydrate Metabolism. The knowledge of hepatic glycogenolysis 

 and glycosuria as a result of strychnin poisoning dates back to the work 

 of Schiff (1859). Zuntz made use of the drug to demonstrate the forma- 

 tion of glucose from the protein metabolism. After ridding a rabbit of 

 glycogen by strychnin convulsions he kept the animal fasting and 

 chloralized for one hundred and nineteen hours. During this time 5.25 

 grams of sugar were excreted in the urine, and yet 1.286 grams of 

 glycogen were still found in the liver and muscles. This must have arisen 

 from protein. 



Araki observed that strychnin causes lactic acid as well as glucose to 

 appear in the urine, and classified it as an asphyxial poison, as did 

 Starkenstein. 



Lepine(a) states that strychnin glycosuria is unknown in man. 



According to Blum strychnin is able to free the liver of glycogen if 

 either both vagi or both splanchnic nerves are cut. He concludes, there- 

 fore, that glycogenolysis resulting from excessive muscular work is brought 

 about through the blood. 



Lusk has shown that strychnin and other convulsions cause the appear- 

 ance of lactic acid in the blood, to which phenomenon, however, an adequate 

 glycogen store is essential. 



The alveolar carbon dioxid tension is unaltered by strychnin in thera- 

 peutic doses (up to 4.5 milligrams) in man, according to the results of 

 Higgins and Means. These investigators, as well as Edsall and Means, 



