112 PILOCARPINE AND PHYSOSTIGMINE. 



PILOCARPINE AND PHYSOSTIGMINE. 



1. Obtain a heart tracing from a frog with pithed brain. Apply 2 drops 0.6% 

 solution Pilocarpine to the frog's heart, carefully noting any variations in the record. 

 Wash the heart with normal saline (=0.65% for frogs), and then apply 2 drops 0.1% 

 solution Atropine Sulphate. When definite effect is produced, wash again with normal 

 saline; then study effect of alternation of the drugs, noting relative amounts of each 

 required to produce definite results. Allow at least 30 seconds between successive 

 applications. 



2. Repeat Experiment No. i, using 0.03% Physostigmine solution in place of the 

 Pilocarpine. 



3. Having obtained a heart tracing of a frog with pithed brain, inject into the 

 thigh lymph sac 0.5 mil of a 0.6% solution Pilocarpine, and note what effect this may 

 have on the tracing. See also if i drop of a 0.01% solution Atropine Sulphate will 

 produce a distinct variation in the curve. 



4. Repeat Experiment No. 3, using 0.03% solution Physostigmine. 



5. Into thigh lymph sacs of two frogs of equal weight and condition inject 0.3 

 mil of a 0.01% solution Atropine Sulphate. Obtain continuous tracings, and when the 

 Atropine action is marked, see how much Pilocarpine solution, 0.6%, applied locally at 

 the rate of 2 drops every 30 seconds, is necessary to overcome the Atropine action in 

 one frog, and how much Physostigmine in the same ratio of increments is necessary 

 with the other frog. 



6. Into one eye of a rabbit instill i drop 0.6% solution Pilocarpine; repeat with 

 another rabbit, using 0.03% solution Physostigmine. Study the effect for one-half 

 hour; then instill in the treated eye of each rabbit i drop of 0.01% Atropine solution. 

 Seek an explanation. 



7. Etherize a rabbit, and secure normal respiratory and circulatory tracings. 

 Rapidly dissect the skin from the abdomen, and notice coils of intestine showing 

 through the thin muscle walls. With etherization light, administer by vein 3 mils x 

 kg. of a i to 1000 solution Pilocarpine, obtaining meanwhile a continuous record, and 

 .noting all phenomena. When reaction becomes pronounced, administer by vein 1.5 

 mg. x kg. Atropine in solution. 



Later, cause death with 10% Pilocarpine, taking continuous record. 



8. Repeat Experiment No. 8, using Physostigmine, i mg. x kg. 



9. Let some student, who is normally somewhat constipated, take I mg. Physos- 

 tigmine (Eserine) Salicylate. Let his associates take the customary systemic records. 



10. In the ophthalmology clinic, study the use there of both Pilocarpine and 

 Physostigmine. 



11. In the hospital assignment, an opportunity may arise, in connection with post- 

 operative observations in abdominal surgery, to study the action of Physostigmine; 

 and in the medical ward to study the action of Pilocarpine in the treatment of uraemia. 



12. Tabulate your findings concerning these two drugs. Extend your tabulations 

 by observations drawn from recent literature. 



