An experimental inquiry into the physiological action of ergot of rye / [Samuel Wright].

  • Wright, Samuel
Date:
[1840?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An experimental inquiry into the physiological action of ergot of rye / [Samuel Wright]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fixed ones, particularly almond and olive oil. It is likewise solu¬ ble in creosote, caustic alkalies, earths, and ammonia. With the latter substances, it forms a soapy solution, from which it may be separated by an acid. Sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids in the dilute form, have little action upon it, but, when concentrated, they convert it into a deep-brown or black mass. When long ex¬ posed to light and air, at a moderate temperature, the oil thickens, deepens in hue, and diminishes in strength ; yet, if kept in a stop¬ pered bottle, it is patient of preservation, and will retain its acti¬ vity for years. On this account, as also from the fact of its em¬ bodying all the active properties of ergot in a safe and manage¬ able form, I am persuaded it will be found a much more advanta¬ geous officinal preparation than the crude drug. As will be seen in the experiments next recorded, whatever of activity is possessed by ergot, is centred in its oil ; whether this oil be the active principle, or the mere vehicle for containing it, has yet to be proved. From some experiments which I have lately performed, I am inclined to the latter opinion ; but my observations being yet incomplete, I shall defer their publication for the pre¬ sent. 1*.; Section XIV.—Experiments illustrative of the Physiolo¬ gical Action of the Oil of Ergot. Expt. I.—Three drachms of the oil of ergot, obtained by the spontaneous evaporation of its ethereal solution, were diffused through half an ounce of water, at temperature 98°, and then in¬ jected into the right external jugular of a terrier dog, weighing thirteen pounds. The fluid had scarcely passed, when the heart’s action became excessively violent, urine and feces were discharged in abundance, and the abdominal muscles underwent strong con¬ vulsion, in which the whole frame shortly participated. When one minute and a quarter had elapsed, the action of the heart be¬ came less urgent, and the respiration was very slow and profound. The pupil then contracted ; the eye became fixed; hiccup pre¬ vailed ; the convulsive motion subsided into a quiver of the whole frame; the animal cried loudly, then sunk into calmness, and in three minutes and a-half ceased to live. Autopsy.—All the voluntary muscles were highly sensible of galvanic influence, as also the diaphragm and intestines, the ver¬ micular motion of which, though beautifully performing when ex¬ posed, was much increased by the stimulus of the pile. The heart was firm and rigid in its texture, but no renewal of its con¬ tractions took place when it was scratched with the scalpel, or sub¬ jected to the influence of galvanism. The right auricle contain¬ ed a little fluid blood ; that, in the left cavities, was coagulated. All the thoracic and abdominal viscera had a natural aspect. The
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