390 DR THOMAS R. FRASER ON STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS. 



In the next two experiments, Strophanthus was introduced into the stomach and 

 rectum, respectively, of frogs. 



Experiment LXXII* — The heart was exposed in a frog, weighing 810 grains, and 

 its contractions were found to average 13 per 30 sec. By means of a narrow gum-elastic 

 tube, - 2 grain of extract was injected into the stomach. Almost immediately after the 

 withdrawal of the tube, violent efforts to vomit occurred, and a portion of the solution 

 was ejected from the stomach. In 3 min. after the injection, the heart's rate was 15 per 

 30 sec. In 4 min., " pouching " was observed at the apex of the ventricle. In 6 min., 

 the heart's rate was 14 per 30 sec. In 10 min., the rate was 15 per 30 sec, and it 

 continued at this rate, without further "pouching," for other 12 min. In 29 min., 

 the ventricular diastole was imperfect, and " pouchings " again occurred. In 30 min., 

 the ventricular diastole had ceased, but at times a faint ventricular movement occurred, 

 although the state of systolic contraction was continuously maintained. In 33 min., all 

 movement of the ventricle had ceased, the ventricle remaining motionless in systole ; the 

 auricles, however, contracted regularly, at the rate of 13 per 30 sec. In 47 min., the 

 auricles contracted 6 times per 30 sec. ; but in 52 min., they also ceased to contract. 

 Irritation of the auricles was occasionally followed by feeble movements in them, but 

 irritation of the ventricle failed to excite any movement. For several minutes subse- 

 quently, the frog was able to jump about with considerable activity. 



Experiment LXXIII.f — The exposed heart of a frog, weighing 330 grains, was found 

 to be contracting at the rate of 12 per 30 sec. 0*1 grain of extract was injected into the 

 rectum. In 14 min. thereafter, the heart was still contracting at the rate of 12 per 30 

 sec, but the apex of the ventricle now ceased to dilate during diastole. In 43 min., the 

 contractions were arhythmical, the ventricle contracting 5 times per 30 sec, and the 

 auricles 13 times per 30 sec, and frequently the ventricle remained motionless in systole 

 during two auricular contractions. In 50 min., the ventricular diastole was imperfect 

 and incomplete, occurring at the apex only, while the upper half of the ventricle remained 

 continuously contracted. In 52 min., 6 imperfect ventricular, and 12 perfect auricular, 

 contractions occurred per 30 sec. The upper two-thirds of the ventricle now remained 

 continuously pale and small, and only the lower third dilated during diastole. The 

 diastole of the ventricle consisted, therefore, of a mere pouching of its lower third, and 

 it was very brief in duration, being almost immediately followed by contraction of that 

 third, which remained in a contracted state during two auricular contractions. In 55 

 min., 6 imperfect ventricular contractions occurred in 30 sec, and diastole consisted 

 merely of the appearance of a small dark " pouch " at the apex, and the less frequent 

 appearance of a similar " pouch " at the left base ; the auricles contracted regularly at the 

 rate of 12 per 30 sec. In 1 hour, only at long intervals, a feeble movement occurred in 

 the ventricle, which was entirely contracted and pale ; the auricles contracted 12 times 

 per 30 sec In 1 hour 1 min., the ventricular movements altogether ceased, but those of 



* Published in 1872 in Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, vol. vii. p. 142. t Ibid., p. 145. 



