THE RESPONSE OF THE SUBMAXILLARY AND PAROTID GLANDS OF THE DOG TO HISTAMINE

¹ Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

1. The effect of histamine on the submaxillary and parotid glands of the dog is twofold: it activates a true secretion and it presses out the contents of the alveoli and ducts.

2. The secretory effect is abolished in the submaxillary gland by moderate doses of atropine, but not in the parotid gland.

3. The submaxillary gland reacts to much smaller doses of histamine than does the parotid gland.

4. Previous intravenous injection of histamine diminishes the submaxillary secretion activated by pilocarpine or under the influence of the chorda tympani.

5. The submaxillary saliva secreted under the influence of histamine has a higher concentration of organic matter and a lower content of ash than the saliva activated by the chorda tympani.

6. Pilocarpine submaxillary saliva becomes richer in organic substances after the injection of histamine, especially if the secretory nerves are left in connection with the central nervous system.