60 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
Experiment XII: Isolated two frogs’ hearts; one of these (C) was 
placed in a one per cent solution of sparteine; the other (D) in the salt 
solution, and their actions carefully ■watched. 
Heart C. 
Time, 
h. min. 
Pulse, 
p. min. 
Remarks. 
2:02 
64 
2:05 
68 
2:09 
72 
2:12 
78 
2:18 
72 
2:22 
66 
2:28 
52 
Ventricular contractions vigorous. 
2:35 
46 
2:40 
30 
Ventricular contractions vigorous. 
2:48 
12 
2:52 
12 
3:02 
6 
3:10 
2 
3:25 
— 
Arrested in systole. 
Heart D (Control experiment). 
Time, 
h. min. 
Pulse, 
p. min. 
Remarks. 
2:04 
76 
2:07 
74 
2:11 
72 
2:14 
68 
2:20 
52 
2:25 
40 
2:32 
26 
2:36 
8 
2:45 
— 
Stopped in diastole. 
It is thus seen that sparteine, when given hypodermatically or applied 
directly, causes in the batrachian a brief period of acceleration of the 
pulse, followed by a distinct diminution. Although the organ is slowed 
in its action, its force is increased, evidenced by the vigorous contraction 
produced. During the retardation of the pulse a marked irregularity of 
this is of frequent occurrence. The same is also noticed in dogs. 
The fact, again, that the heart continues to beat for a longer time in 
the sparteine solution than in the salt solution, would seem to show that 
the drug, as is the case with digitalis, for instance, powerfully stimulates 
the heart muscle and probably also the intracardiac ganglia. Finally 
these become completely paralyzed, and the organ is arrested either in 
systole or diastole. 
