On animal alkaloids : the ptomaines, leucomaines, and extractives in their pathological relations ... / by Sir William Aitken.

  • William Aitken
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On animal alkaloids : the ptomaines, leucomaines, and extractives in their pathological relations ... / by Sir William Aitken. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

    70/150 (page 52)
    Btaltic action of the bowels, wliicli lasted for several days and the continuous diarrhoea led to extreme weak- ness of the animals. The other alkaloid, which Brieger has named mydalein, has a still more marked ])hy- siological action of much clinical interest, inasmuch as we find hyperthermia is amongst its symptoms. Its physiological action is specific. When a very minute quantity is injected into guinea-pigs or rabbits, saliva- tion sets in, nasal secretion is increased, and a copious flow of tears occurs. The pupils become dilated, the vessels of the ear much injected, and the rectal tem- perature rises from 1° to 2 per cent. The pupils gradually dilate to the maximum and cease to react to light The coat of the animal becomes staring ; and sometimes they tremble. Gradually the sahvation diminishes, the respiration and pulse become slower, temperature falls and the animal recovers. Larger doses to the extent of Jg- of a grain (under half a centi- gramme)—are always fatal, and their action exceeding- ly violent. Many, but not all of these symptoms occur in men in \ consequence of poisoning from decomposing food, or from disease ; and it is possible that the occurrence of some symptoms and not of others may be due to the occurrence in disease of alkaloids allied to mydalein, although not identical with it, or to the presence of two or more alkaloids which partially neutrahse each other's effects.** Although, however, positive evidence may be as yet wanting as to the formation of alkaloids within the body ; it is highly probable that a formation of alka- loids, such as has been described, does occur in the