9 6 



Scientific Proceedings (38). 



were then carefully closed. Next day and on the following days 

 the catheters were connected with Marey tambours and the peri- 

 stalsis studied graphically. The tracings show well defined charac- 

 teristic waves produced by the contractions of the duodenum and 

 stomach. These waves became greatly influenced — aggravated 

 — by barium as well as by physostigmin. We shall not discuss 

 here the character of these influences. We wish to point out only 

 the effect of magnesium upon the peristaltic movements. 



The tracings show in an unmistakable manner that the intraven- 

 ous or intramuscular injection of a magnesium salt abolishes com- 

 pletely and for some time the normal peristalsis as well as the 

 contractions of the duodenum and the stomach caused by barium 

 and physostigmin. We shall not enter here upon any particulars. 

 We wish, however, to add that our method differs from other 

 methods employed for similar purposes in that (1) the intestines 

 are not handled at all, and that (2) the peristalsis can be studied 

 when the animal has completely recovered from the effects of the 

 operation. We are utilizing this method for studying various 

 phenomena pertaining to normal peristalis and shall report our 

 observations in later communications. 



60 (470) 



Recovery from fatal doses of strychnin by the aid of curarin 

 and artificial respiration (insufflation method). 



By A. 0. SHAKLEE and S. J. MELTZER. 



[From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology of the 

 Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research^ 



In a series of twenty-seven experiments upon dogs and cats we 

 tried to develop a method by means of which life can be saved 

 after fatal doses of strychnin. In all cases the strychnin was ad- 

 ministered intravenously. In control experiments 0.4 mg. per kilo 

 was invariably fatal, killing within an hour. By the aid of the 

 method which will be described presently fourteen of the twenty- 

 seven dogs used in developing the method survived the adminis- 

 tration of fatal doses of strychnin. Of these fourteen five received 

 0.5 mg., three received 0.75 mg., and six received 0.8 mg. per 

 kilo, that is, all animals received doses of strychnin which were in 



