Magnesium vs. Eserin. 



119 



result. At Dr. Meltzer's suggestion, an attempt was then made 

 to establish the facts in the case and to determine any other points 

 of interest in the antagonism between these two drugs. 



My results and methods may be briefly reported as follows : 



First; a method of registering the general fibrillary muscular 

 contractions was worked out, the best result being obtained by 

 stitching a tambour to the skin over the gluteal muscles, with the 

 leg in a flexed position. 



Second ; while writing the fibrillary tremor caused by eserin, 

 MgS0 4 1 was slowly injected into the jugular vein. The result 

 was an invariable stoppage of all tremor. This stoppage was 

 brought about in from one half to one and a half minutes accord- 

 ing to the rapidity of injection of magnesium. If the initial dose of 

 MgS0 4 was sufficient, there was no recurrence of eserin tremor. 



Third ; an attempt was made to ascertain whether MgS0 4 could 

 be used as an antidote for eserin poisoning. Eserin was injected 

 into rabbits intramuscularly in quantities usually sufficient to 

 kill. Afterwards, MgS0 4 , was injected into the ear vein until 

 the effect of eserin disappeared. In twenty two trials, the animals 

 survived strongly toxic, and fatal, doses. The general tremor and 

 convulsive movements stopped after the injection of from 2 to 4 c.c. 

 of MgS0 4 solution. The magnesium effect was usually marked, 

 however. If the depression of respiration was sufficient to cause 

 danger of asphyxia, the injection of 1 c.c. of CaCl 2 solution into 

 the ear vein was usually sufficient to counteract the action of 

 MgS0 4 on the respiration. 



Fourth; the myosis produced by instillation of eserin, is not 

 removed or modified by any dose of magnesium. 



72 (328) 



Influence of iodides on autolysis. 

 By L. B. STOOKEY. 



\_From the Physiological Laboratory , Medical School, University of 

 Southern California."} 

 Dogs were given o. 1 gram of KI per kilo daily over periods 

 varying from one week to three months. Only in one case were 



1 In the use of magnesium sulfate, molecular solutions were employed in all cases. 



