72 
TRANSACTIONS OF THE TEXAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
tionally destroyed by section. The respiratory centers in the medulla 
oblongata are the ones affected by the drug, and it is precisely by par¬ 
alysis of those centers that sparteine generally kills. (See Tracing II, 
Figs. G, H, I, J, K, and L.) 
From the results obtained in this imperfect studj T , I am led to draw 
the following conclusions: 
1. Sparteine causes a brief period of increased muscular irritability. 
2. The drug increases reflex action by directly influencing the spinal 
cord. 
3. Reflex action is afterward depressed by sparteine; first through a 
primary stimulation of Setschenow’s reflex inhibitory center, and secondly 
by influencing the cord directly. 
4. The convulsions produced by the drug, general^ of a tetanic nature, 
are of a spinal origin. 
5. The paralysis caused by the medicament is similarly the result of 
an action on the medulla spinalis. 
6. Sparteine increases both the rate of the pulse and the force of the 
heart. The acceleration of the heart’s action is soon followed by a dis¬ 
tinct decrease of the same. 
7. The primary increase in rate is due to an action on the heart itself. 
8. The subsequent decrease in the rapidity of the pulse is of double 
origin; a direct cardiac action and stimulation of the cardio-inhibitory 
centers, centrally and peripherally. 
9. The enormous increase in size of the pulse curves is probably the 
outcome of a direct influence on the cardiac muscle. 
10. Sparteine increases the blood-pressure by an action on the heart 
and also by stimulating the centric vaso-motor system. 
11. The subsequent fall of the arterial pressure under the drug, is like¬ 
wise the result of a double action; paralysis of the vaso-motor apparatus 
and a depressant cardiac influence. Cardio-inhibitory stimulation, through 
the vagi, is possibly a third factor in the causation of reduced pressure. 
12. Both the increased number of the respiratory movements and the 
secondary depression of the same, are due to a direct action on the res¬ 
piratory centers in the medulla oblongata. 
13. Sparteine kills generally by respiratory failure. 
14. Sparteine may be classed as a decided cardiac stimulant, its range 
of action being similar to that of digitalis. 
Galveston, Texas; 1320 Ave. E. 
