Oct. 16,1916 
Effects of Nicotine as an Insecticide 
117 
Sollmann (23) summarizes the symptoms of nicotine poisoning on man 
as follows: The whole cerebrospinal axis is first stimulated, then depressed 
from above downward; symptoms from large doses resemble those of 
asphyxia or hydrocyanic acid. Action on the medullary centers is marked 
and violent; respiration is at first increased, then markedly depressed; 
paralysis of the respiratory center is the cause of death. Action on the 
spinal cord consists in strong stimulation of the motor cells, producing 
convulsions, passage of feces and urine. Nicotine acts on unstriped 
muscles, paralyzing the ganglia after a brief stimulation. There is nausea 
and vomiting, violent peristalsis, and even tetanic contraction of the 
intestine and diarrhea. The respiration, heart strength, and blood pres¬ 
sure are increased; the heart rate is decreased. A strong nicotine solu¬ 
tion applied directly paralyzes the nerve fibers. “ Free nicotine is caustic 
on account of its alkalinity.” The fatal dose for man is about 60 mgm.; 
one cigar contains enough nicotine to kill two persons, if it were directly 
injected into the circulation. “It acts with a swiftness only equaled by 
hydrocyanic acid.” 
Cushny (6, p. 304-314) asserts that poisonous doses of nicotine adminis¬ 
tered to man or other mammals cause a hot, burning sensation in the 
mouth which spreads down the esophagus to the stomach and is followed 
by salivation, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes purging. Mental confu¬ 
sion, muscular weakness, giddiness, and restlessness are followed by loss 
of coordination and partial or complete unconsciousness. Clonic con¬ 
vulsions set in later and eventually a tetanic spasm closes the scene 
by arresting the respiration. 
Autenrieth (1, p. 87) says that nicotine is absorbed from the tongue, 
eye, and rectum within a few seconds, but from the stomach somewhat 
more slowly. Its absorption is also possible from the outer skin, and it is 
eliminated through the lungs and kidneys. 
In concentrated form nicotine is a local irricant, though owing to the rapidity of 
its toxic action, it does not behave like a true corrosive nor does it cause inflammation 
of the mucous lining of the stomach after a lethal dose. 
(3) PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL EXPECTS ON THE} CHhhS 
In the preceding discussion it has been pointed out that nicotine paral¬ 
yzes the respiratory center in the brain of vertebrates, causing death by 
asphyxiation. This implies that, while the nervous system is benumbed 
and rendered inactive, the lungs are prevented from functioning, and con¬ 
sequently the cells in the tissue die for want of oxygen. Since the in¬ 
vertebrates are differently organized, particularly in regard to their 
respiratory system, an investigation will be made as to the period insects 
can live without free oxygen. 
Walling (25) states that grasshoppers confined in pure carbon dioxid 
for 15 hours recover, and Shafer (20) determined that beetles ( Passalus 
