Scientific Proceedings. ( io 5) 4 1 



compound. The author also stated that these substances facilitate 

 the study of the relation between the chemical constitution and 

 distribution of poisons in the body. 



15 (61). "On the rate of absorption from intramuscular tis- 

 sue," with demonstrations : S. J. MELTZEE, and JOHN AUER. 



In physiology no distinction is made between absorption from 

 the subcutaneous tissue and absorption from muscles. In experi- 

 mental infection and immunity, injections of virulent toxic and 

 antitoxic materials are being extensively employed, but intra- 

 muscular injection has not yet even been thought of. In thera- 

 peutics it is practised promiscuously, and for the reason, as 

 pharmacologists and clinicians expressly state, that it gives less 

 pain and causes less frequently the formation of abscesses. 



The authors came upon the observation that absorption from 

 the muscles is incomparably more rapid and efficient than from the 

 subcutaneous tissue and tested the matter with several substances. 

 With suprarenal extract, it was tested in three ways. 



r. By the effect upon blood-pressure. — A subcutaneous dose 

 of 0.6 c.c. adrenalin or less per kilo (rabbit) exerts no effect, and 

 the variable effects of larger doses consist in a rise of pressure 

 of from about 10 mm. to 20 mm. of mercury, which sets in 

 late and develops slowly. An intramuscular injection of 0.5 c.c- 

 or 0.4 c.c. per kilo, or even less, invariably causes, on the other 

 hand, a considerable rise of pressure, which sets in after a very 

 short latent period and reaches its maximum in a few seconds. The 

 curve obtained after intramuscular injection is very similar to that 

 after an intravenous injection. The increase has been as high as 

 50 mm. or 60 mm. of mercury and may go even higher. The 

 course of the curve is frequently interrupted by " vagus pulses." 



2. By the effect upon the pitpil on the side from which the su- 

 perior cervical ganglion had been previously removed. — An intra- 

 muscular dose of 0.5 c.c. or 0.4 c.c. of adrenalin per kilo causes 

 dilation of the pupil in less than a minute, while such a dose given 

 subcutaneously rarely produces any effect. The effect of a larger 

 subcutaneous dose sets in only after 10 or 15 minutes. 



3. By prostration effects. — A dose of 0.5 c.c. per kilo will 

 prostrate a rabbit in a minute or two, after intramuscular injection. 



