An experimental research on the antagonism between the actions of physostigma and atropia / by Thomas R. Fraser.

  • Fraser Thomas R. (Thomas Richard), Sir, 1841-1920.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An experimental research on the antagonism between the actions of physostigma and atropia / by Thomas R. Fraser. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    The recent development of the study of Pharmacology has led not only to the acquisition of knowledge regarding the exact manner in which many active substances influence the physiological conditions of vital structure, but also to the differentiation of the special structures, by the modification of whose physio- logical conditions the lethal action of these substances is produced. In a few instances it has been shown that the nature of the modification produced in the physiological condition of the structure or structures involved in the lethal action of the substance is apparently contrary to that produced on the same structure or structures by the j^hysiological action of another substance. The estab- lishment of such facts has led, within the last few years, to the suggestion of two instances of antagonism,—the first being between the lethal action of prussic acid and the physiological action of atropia, and the second between the lethal action of muscaria and the physiological action of atropia. Betiveeii Atrojjia and Frussic Acid.—For the first of these instances Phar- macological science is indebted to Professor Preyer of Jena. In the course of an elaborate research* on the action of prussic acid,—a research that may fairly be characterised as the most important that has yet been made on the action of this substance,—Preyer established that the primary lethal action is due to embarrassment of the respiratory and cardiac functions. Pie further showed that the embarrassment of the former function is caused by stimulation of the terminations of the vagi nerves in the lungs, and by impairment of the activity of the respiratory nerve-centre, while the embarrassment of the latter function is caused by excessive stimulation of the inhibitory cardiac fibres of the vagi nerves. Previous investigators—more especially Von Bezold and BlcebaumI—had already shown that atropia produces eff'ects that are in a remarkable manner contrary to these ; for, in certain doses, it accelerates both the respiratory and the cardiac movements,—the former, by paralysing, the terminations of the vagi nerves in the lungs, and by stimulating the respiratory nerve-centre, and the latter, by paralysing the inhibitory cardiac fibres of the vagi nerves. Guided by these facts, Preyer made a few experiments which strongly support the opinion he has arrived at, that atropia is a physiological antagonist to prussic acid, even to the extent of being able to prevent the primary lethal action of that poison. It is, however, to be regretted that no attempt was made absolutely to demonstrate that the dose of prussic acid used in each experiment was a lethal one, more especially as the subsequently performed experiments of Professor Bartholow—limited, no doubt, in their scope—do not seem to confirm Preyer's opinion. J * Die Blausaure. Pliysiologiscli Untersuclit. Aou \V. Peeter, Dr. Med. et Pliil. Bonn, 1870. t Ueter die physiologischen Wirkungen des schwefelsauren Atrojjins. Von A. v. Bezold und Dr Friedr. Blcebaum. (Untersucliungen aus dem pliysiologisclieii Laboratorium in Wiirzburg. 1867.) I Tlie Physiological Eifects and Therajjeutical Uses of Atropia and its Salts, 1869, p. 25.