402 



Dr. H. W. Pomfret. Organic Oximides : [May 4 % 



case of the aldehydes. This might be explained by the fact of 

 nitrites being purely depressant to the cord. The stimulant action of 

 the aldehyde would in this sense be discounted by the IZN'OH group 

 of the aldoxime. 



In the same way the experimental circulation of these aldoximes 

 has shown their action to be that of the corresponding aldehyde 

 modified by a local vaso-dilating influence. 



Lastly, accelerated rhythm coupled with depression is the type of 

 the cardiac action of all but very dilute solutions of nitrites, and 

 perfusion experiments on the heart have shown that these aldoximes 

 possess this nitrite type superadded to the action of the correspond- 

 ing aldehydes. Accelerated rhythm is invariably produced, whilst 

 the primary tonic effect is less marked. 



JBenzaldehyde, C 6 H 5 *COH. 

 Salicylaldehyde, OH-C 6 H 4 -COH. 



These aromatic aldehydes have the same type of action as their 

 fatty homologues, but differ from them in their much more powerful 

 toxicity and greater dominance of irritation, which is more espe- 

 cially seen in their action on the spinal cord and voluntary muscle. 



They are both vaso-dilators, though such action is not very pro- 

 nounced. 



A solution of either of these aldehydes not stronger than 1 part in 

 30,000 parts has a marked action on the frog's heart. The rhythm 

 is slowed whilst the amplitude of beat gradually diminishes, and the 

 heart becomes arrested in diastole. Stronger solutions cause imper- 

 fect dilatation of the ventricle during diastole, with final arrest in 

 systole. 



Benzaldoxime, C 6 H 5 -CH:]TOH. 



OH 



SaKcylaldoxime, CeH^Qjg-.-^Qjj* 



These two aromatic aldoximes have been found to scarcely differ 

 in their physiological actions from their corresponding aldehydes. 

 The powerful aldehyde influence almost completely obscures any 

 action which might be attributable to the NOH group in their 

 structure. 



Progressive contracture and loss of irritability are the main 

 features of their action on voluntary muscle. A primary stimulation 

 of voluntary muscle, doubtful in the actions of the fatty aldoximes, is 

 well in evidence in the case of those aromatic compounds, and in 

 muscle-nerve preparations is seen equally well, should the stimulus 

 have been thrown along the nerve or directly into the muscle fibres. 



The results of subcutaneous injections of these two aldoximes have 



