64:0 AGEA'TS OF ANIMAL OEIGIIT 



excitation of the heart muscle and vagus centre) and blood 

 pressure is more markedly heightened than bj any other 

 known drug, owing in part to central vasomotor stimulation 

 but chiefly to excitation of the muscular coat of the vessels. 

 The blood vessels are, however,' not constricted uniformly 

 over th,e entire body but principally those of the abdominal 

 organs — controlled by the splanchnics — are contracted, while 

 the pulmonary and cerebral vessels are, unaffected by the 

 systemic action of the drug. Respiration is also strength- 

 ened, and both voluntary and involuntarj' muscles are stimu- 

 lated by adrenalin. But, as in the case of the vessels, so the 

 action on involuntary muscles is not uniform. Thus the 

 muscles of the stomach, bowels and bladder are inhibited in 

 their action and in poisoning lose all movement. On the 

 other hand, the uterus, vagina, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, 

 and external genital organs are contracted. So are the radi- 

 ating fibres of the pupil, which is dilated, and the eyeball 

 protudes. Large doses of the adrenal gland cause poisoning 

 with failure of the heart and respiration and paralysis of the 

 vagi. 



In poisoning by large doses of the adrenal gland, there 

 have been observed vomiting, restlessness, tremors, para- 

 plegia, from action on the spinal cord or muscles or both, 

 dyspnea and death. Glycosuria has also been induced by 

 the subcutaneous injection of the suprarenal extract, and 

 stimulation of the secretions of the salivary, esophageal, 

 bronchial and lachrymal glands and of the bile. The pre- 

 dominant and valuable effect of adrenalin and extracts of 

 the adrenals consists in the complete blanching of mucous 

 membranes and raw surfaces after the local application of 

 these substances. Adrenalin is undoubtedly the most power- 

 ful astringent and hemostatic known, owing to its stimula- 

 tion of the involuntary muscles of the blood vessels. 



Subcutaneous injection of a 1 to 1000 solution causes 

 blanching over an area about two inches in diameter within 

 a minute and lasts for six to twelve hours. Solutions con- 

 taining adrenalin to the amount of 1 to 5000, 1 to 10,000, or 

 even l^to 20,000, will produce an ischemia after their hypo- 

 action adrenalin contracts blood vessels, dilates the pupil, stimulates 

 the heart muscle, and relaxes the bowels. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



